Marathon Sports

I ventured into Marathon Sports a couple weeks ago in search of some Inov-​8 sneakers and was greeted right away by the super friendly people that work there. They spent lots of quality time with me asking questions about the types of workouts I do and what was comfortable for me, which was so great. I never felt rushed and really appreciated how they helped me find the best fitting, most comfortable sneaker because most of the time when I buy shoes I don’t get that type of attention to detail. I would highly recommend shopping here for all of your sneakers/​sporting goods needs!

Great service and stellar inventory, just like every Marathon location. Highly recommend!

Just had my son fit for a pair of xcrountry sneakers. Awesome experience. Salesperson was knowledgeable and very helpful.

I love this little location! Anytime I need to try a new pair of shoes Marathon Sports is happy to suggest some shoes which are new and excellent to the market. Being a Marathon Runner myself I have yet to be disappointment by their suggestions in trying different shoes.

You will find the most comfortable pair of running shoes here with the help of staff. The guy who helped my son took the time to see how he walks, how wide his feet are, what his preferences are for comfort and size. My son says they are the best fit ever! It is s small store on a corner with not too much available parking but loaded with options and accessories. We were helped without feeling like they were pushy. Comfort and fit take priority over color, brand or style but they do carry many of the top nsmes in running shoes.

I give three stars because of who I think was the new manager. A young woman who told me the other day I could not exchange shoes that had clearly never been worn that a family member didn’t want. She wouldn’t do anything without a receipt. She wasn’t very friendly.
I feel bad about this review as I have been going to MS for a few years now. A very different vibe in the Melrose store now.
I have never had a problem with MS before (I have only exchanged a pair of running shoes once within a week) and the previous manager, Allison was fantastic. I have also met the store owner once who was very nice.
I will now order my shoes online I guess as I cannot bear at this moment to go back to the Melrose store anyway.

I’m new to the area, and was looking to start running again, bought a pair of new shoes and started getting awful blisters on my heels… So I go see the folks here at Marathon Sports, Steve (think that’s his name) was super nice and helpful, listened and brought out a few pair of shoes, they had different fits but man did he get it right with the second pair! Let me run around the block just to be sure too! The people here have so much knowledge and are very kind and helpful, great feeling when you walk in! Definitely check them out for any running/​walking needs!

Came here on advice from a friend and I am certainly glad I did.
Even though I am not a runner the staff was still able to help me out and find me the correct foot ware. We went threw about 12 pairs of sneakers before we could find the proper fit — it really makes a difference.
The staff member who was working with me was working on 3 other people at the same time. So as you can see it does get a little crazy in there but it so worth it.

Very helpful staff! Great variety of gear for muscle injuries and all sorts of swag!

Being someone who has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years, I know a little something about quality customer service. The folks at Marathon Sports were some of the best I’ve ever encountered. I am preparing for the Chicago Marathon in October and need some new tires for training. Close personal attention was extended to me (others too all at the same time. Way to juggle us all!) and a thorough examination and assessment was taken so as to get me what I needed. I never was pressured to buy the most expensive shoe. They just wanted me to get what felt right. And for that professional courtesy I am grateful. I will return to get more gear and other running needs over the next few months and hopefully as I prepare for the Boston Marathon next year. It’s rare nowadays to get that «mom and pop» feel and attention that was so prevalent once in our country, but the folks at Marathon are doing their best to keep that feeling alive. I’ll see you guys soon. Thanks again!

I won’t go anywhere else to purchase my sneakers. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They don’t try and push you into buy anything or more than what you need. They listen to you and make suggestins based on your specific needs.

Nice selection of sneakers and the staff is helpful and informative in proper sizing and for what use.

This place is amazing. Not only are they extremely helpful with picking out shoes, but their staff is incredibly friendly and understanding. I purchased a pair of shoes here and was having problems with how I felt after running with them, but due to a vacation I wasn’t able to come back within the 15 day return period. However, they were super understanding, helped me pick out a new pair, and allowed me to do an exchange. I recommend this store to all my friends and anyone else who wants a good running shoe with great customer service.

If you are not a runner, do not think you cannot find comfortable walking shoes here. After returning 3 pairs of shoes back to Zappos, I decided to get a professional opinion on what shoes to buy. I have wide feet and I had a hard time finding shoes wide enough.
The saleswoman checked my gait and took 3 boxes down for me. The first pair she chose was right on the money. The other 2 were also great, but I liked her first choice best.
I was afraid to know how much they cost, but they ended up being 20 dollars CHEAPER than Zappos!
I will never buy sneakers anywhere else.

Marathon Sports is saweeeeet! From the outside it may seem like your standard City Sports/​EMS-​type place, but I promise you ’tis very unique and far superior to all its similar competitors.
I was referred to Marathon Sports to scoop up every pair of running sneaks for the rest of my life by my smartest and most clinically respected professor. Being a Physical Therapy grad student, I decided to be nosey and inquire about what kind of training is required to work there, given my extensive «evaluation.»
When I first walked in and meandered over to the shoe wall, I was approached by the most helpful and un-​aggressive saleswoman I’d ever met (Alison, the manager). After a quick interview about what I was looking for (new running sneaks), she asked me to throw on some socks and watched me walk, which in PT terms is called «Gait Analysis.» Based on her findings, she recommended a couple shoes most suitable for my gait pattern and foot type. After I figured out which of her 3 suggestions was most comfortable, she took me outside and watched me jog about 100ft to check for any abnormalities.
I must also make note of the fact that she did *not* try to upsell me on the more expensive brand or style of shoe. She gave honest, no-​nonsense recommendations, which can be rare, but refreshing nonetheless!
Getting back to what I started talking about before, Alison told me that the owner of all 7 locations has an Orthopedic background (Kinesiology and Biomechanics, to be exact), and requires all of his employees to go through an intensive 6-​month orientation before they’re allowed to perform gait analyses and recommend shoes. I’m glad I was nosey, because now I can both recommended and shop at Marathon Sports confidently for the rest of my life!
I also got a 10% discount for being a student! For a $ 105 pair of Asics, 10% can put a much-​needed dent in the final price. Now that I know my ideal shoe type and brand, it may not be necessary for me to return to Marathon Sports, but I’m gonna anyways. You should, too!

You know, it really *doesn’t* get better than this.
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just about to embark on a couch to 5K program, the folks at Marathon Sports will watch you walk and run, observe your conformation, do a gait analysis, talk to you about what running issues you might have and then suggest the right shoes for you.
And there’s *no* pressure.
Go there. They’re awesome.

I have only been to this store once, but I cannot say enough good things about it.
–Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff.
–Huge array of running shoes.
–It’s a RUNNING store — not just a shoe store for people who like to wear sneakers with jeans.
I came in with a sort of abnormal situation — experienced barefoot runner who has been injured and needed something a little more cushioning but still pretty flat, etc. Every other store I went to, even if they had Vibrams on the walls, were so sub-​par with the advice and offerings. This sales chick didn’t bat an eye, she went in the back and started pulling out shoe after shoe for me to try on, explaining why she selected them, tested the fit, watched my gait in them, and even let me take them for a spin outside! I mean, seriously?! Why doesn’t every store have this level of service? It’s almost like the old fashioned Mom-​and-​Pop stores… where they help every customer and they ring up your purchase the old fashioned way (no scanners — interesting). I didn’t feel like I was at some big chain store, what a breath of fresh air!
I watched the sales girls help other customers as they came in, as well. They asked each person questions that would help them select the right shoe. No opinionated, pushy salesmanship. And somehow they were able to help me and the other customers without ever making me wait or feel ignored. As I bought my pair of Saucony Kinvaras I thought: «WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN GOING TO THIS STORE ALL ALONG?»

Love this place.
I was a bit bummed when the old store ‘Runner’s Edge’ was taken over by marathon, but (hate to admit it) I like the new store even better. The staff does a great job. They must only hire serious runners and train them well since they all take the time to find the right shoe for you, encourage you to try other options, etc.
Minor complaints: They can get busy on weekends and you may have to wait for help. But that’s probably due to the time they take to fit everyone, so it’s tough to count that against them. They also are a bit pricey, but most ‘good’ running shoes are expensive.
Weird thing: They write up orders manually. Uh, not sure if you heard, but there’s this new thing called a scanner that really streamlines the whole sales process.
Tip: There are almost always coupons from various races or sponsorships floating around. 15% makes the prices a bit more palatable.

Excellent service and Excellent selection.
I went here a couple of years ago to get a good all around running/​walking sneaker and they watched me walk and noted that I walk to the sides of my feet. They found me great sneakers and they are the best ever.
We went here recently to get Hubbie a new set of sneakers since we have recently took to running each day.
They found a great pair for him, although they showed him a couple of pairs, the first one was the one they showed him was the winner.
Decent price for sneakers.

These guys are the best around if you want knowledgable advice about any kind of running gear.
Their prices are a bit more expensive than what you’d find online but the level of service you get more than makes up for it, in my opinion.