Greater Boston Running Company

Super awesome service by very knowledgeable and efficient staff named Tai. Having given up on searching for shoes online, I went to this store with confusion around the type of shoe I should be looking for. It wasn’t clear in my case if I was pronating or was normal as I felt comfortable in shoes with a bit of an arch than those that are flat.
Tai meticulously and systematically analysed my case by recording me run on the treadmill and explaining each and everything about gaits, shoes, soles and everything. (Also impressed to see a treadmill in a shoe store!!) He suggested and brought shoes in 3 batches and helped eliminate that did not work. He patiently worked with me for a long time and then the shoe that I finally bought was one of his first picks for me. That’s how smart he is!!! I did not get the colour of my choice since it was not available. But with the discount that he was able to offer, I could not let colour be the factor anymore. Really really impressed by the professionalism, patience and knowledge. The collection in this store was also very impressive! Great place to go shoe shopping!

Running scientists. These folks know what they’re doing. Be patient and you’ll end up with an awesome pair of running shoes for a reasonable price with phenomenal service.

After a 10-​second «gait analysis» the sales person was about to send a brand new runner home with a very ill-​fitting pair of shoes that provided no support for his over-​pronation — until I noticed the large pocket of empty space gaping above the medial post. He didn’t see it, because he never looked. He never checked for proper sizing or offered any specifics about the shoe itself, including how it was appropriate for my bf’s foot strike or running mechanics, nor could he answer any questions about his brands or even find the information I was asking about on the product. With the shocking numbers of runners who become injured every year, especially in the beginning, to put someone in the wrong shoe is unacceptable and egregiously irresponsible.
Oh, the second star is for a large selection of Saucony running clothing, overpriced though it was.

Incredible service. I needed a new pair of running shoes, and the employee (didn’t get his name, but he’s pictured in the one I uploaded) was incredible. He was able to analyze my gait and how different shoes affected it. I even mentioned a recent knee injury, and he discussed it at length with me and even did some googling for it as he rang up my purchase.
Please support this incredible local business! They really know what they’re talking about, are patient and professional.

You need the right shoes if you run. This is place to learn which are right for you and how often to replace them. Prevent injury, come here. It’s everything you need, knowledgeable, patient and receptive. Comfort.

This place is awesome, and it’s the only store I’ll buy my sneakers at! The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They analyze your stride on a treadmill to ensure they recommend the best sneaker for your running style. I recommend this place to even the most experienced runners out there who think they’ve got it all under control! The staff at GBRC will be able to help no matter what your level is.

I’m really surprised at the other reviews. I drive out of my to go here, because number 1. they are super helpful 2. Very friendly, 3. Have knowledgeable adults to assist you, not a kid who has very little experience and doesn’t listen to you. And they leave me alone when I need them to and most important they take returns when it doesn’t work out, unlike a very close running store. I nearly always go here. I’ve also tried Marathon Sports and felt more knowledgeable than they were so I left and never returned. Love this GBR and the staff.

I have been running for over 20 years and I needed some new sneaks. I found the staff disinterested and not very knowledgeable. Too bad, since it is convenient for me. I will go back to Marathon Sports where the staff is friendly, upbeat, helpful and act like they actually care.

Things you can expect when going to GBRC in Lexington:
* You will get friendly service
* You will try on MANY pairs of shoes
* You will run on a treadmill to look at your gait and how you run in each pair of shoes
* It will likely take longer than your typical shoe purchase
* The staff will be patient and help you find the perfect shoe
* The shoe will probably be ugly, but it will FEEL GOOD. Get the shoe based on how it feels, not how it looks. Trust me.
* You will likely pay $ 100-​$ 130 or more for a pair of running shoes.
If you’re a new runner or have been running for years, I recommend to go to this store to buy your shoes. They know what they’re talking about.
After over 5 years of running in the same model of shoe (note — it was always pretty ugly), it was time for a change, so I came in and was helped by Tai. I tried on probably close to 10 pairs of shoes (maybe more!). I would run on the treadmill, then we’d look at the video analysis together. I found this very helpful because while a particular pair might have felt good to me, sometimes in the video it showed my ankle wobbled a bit or this or that, which meant this was NOT «my shoe». Based on the video plus how I felt in them, Tai would figure out which pair of shoes I should try on next. We eventually landed on that one pair that felt great so I bought them and have been loving them since I got them a few weeks ago!
I am going to add in my own public service announcement here. If you go in to this store (or any local running store, for that matter) and spend time with an associate who helps find the perfect shoe for you, PLEASE BUY THAT PAIR OF SHOES FROM THAT STORE. Don’t make a mental note of the model and size, then go buy them online to save a few bucks. Buy your first pair with them, because they took the time to help you. Buy your 2^nd pair and on wherever you want, but please support your local running store for that first pair. Just think — if everyone just went and bought the shoes online instead of in the store, we wouldn’t have local running stores anymore, and we wouldn’t have anyone to help us find that perfect pair of shoes.

Despite my adamant protests, these guys wouldn’t let me leave with the pretty shoes — because they failed to correct my gait!
The associates here are patient & knowledgeable.
Also — they are not commission based so you can rest assured they truly just want to help you find the right pair of shoes.

Not helpful at all towards me. To bad. So close to home but I’ll be keeping my business with marathon shoes.

I went to a nice shoe store in Newbury St, Boston last week. I was been told that neutral sneaker is the best choice for me for running. So I think I must pick up a neutral sneaker. But when I went to this store, they use some technology (basically you run on a treadmill, the staff recorded the process) to figure out «neutral» or «stability». It’s very professional store, they are not just selling sneakers.

GBRC is the best running store with the best staff! Tom is very knowledgeable and personable. I really appreciate how he takes the time with each customer to make sure their needs are met. I popped in for some running info and before you knew it I walked out with the BEST running shoes ever! Thank you Tom and GBRC!

Best shoe buying experience I’ve had. I’ve never run before, but knew I had the wrong shoes. I worked with two guys there who were really helpful in figuring out the type of shoe to put me in, the best sizing, and then giving me some options to compare across brands. There was no pressure toward one shoe versus another. I ended up with New Balance that were on sale.
As a new runner, they asked if I was training for anything in particular. When I said my first 5K at the end of May, they suggested also signing up for the 5K training program they run. Again, no pressure to join, but as an offer for more help to my current training plan.
Great overall experience here.

I’m no marathon runner… But I want to improve my daily exercise and have a goal of completing a larger race. The staff was knowledgeable and supportive. I was not pushed to buy a more expensive shoe, only the buy the shoe that really works for my needs. I’ve shopped more than once and happy every time. I will definitely be a return costumer!

I had a great experience here. My feet are finicky and the guy who helped me spent a a great deal of time helping me to find the perfect shoe. I’m really happy with the Brooks that I came home with. Plus, they have a good sale on last season’s clothes going on. Bonus!

I’ve only been in here a few times for socks and other gear, but the staff is always very friendly and willing to share their knowledge with customers who need it and leave those who don’t to find what they need.
I always appreciate that. I usually just buy my running shoes online, but for these guys I might make an exception

If you want to quickly run in and pick up a pair of sneaks, this isn’t the place, but if you’re just starting to take running seriously and need some serious attention, this is the place to go.
I had to wait a bit before being helped, but it was Labor Day, and even with three people on the floor, the place was busy with moms and kids picking up shoes for the first day of school.
When I was seen, I told the saleswoman I was training for a half marathon and what shoes I’d been running in. She knew without me telling her what was hurting me and what shoes would be better to meet my training goals. I tried out a few pairs on the treadmill before finding the perfect pair to correct my rolling ankle. Of course they were about twice as much as I was hoping to spend, but I ran in them for the first time yesterday and already feel the difference.
At check out, we talked about her first half marathon and that extra bit of customer service is what will keep me going back there in the future.

Have been in here several times and each time I am impressed with the knowledge that the staff has. I have no comments about purchasing shoes here but have bought apparel and nutrition here and each time the staff was helpful and supportive.

Drive an hour and half to get here based on recommendations from family members. Have had problems running so he had me run on a treadmill several times with various sneakers. Finally found one that gave me the best posture. Absolutely love my new sneakers! They didn’t have it in my size, so he ordered it and had it shipped to my house. Got it in a week. Will be coming back again!