About Us
Gait Analysis- Our specialty
The Boulder Running Company
was the first running store in the country to offer our customers a free video
gait analysis, and we pride ourselves in continuing to offer this service today.
The Gait analysis process: A video taped gait analysis helps determine the best
shoe for your unique foot and stride. Ideally, when we tape you, your arches
should remain in a neutral position throughout the gait cycle. In other words,
excessive inward or outward rotation of your feet and ankles is a bad thing.
Neutral, or straight (no inward or outward rotation) is ideal. Our fitting
process begins with a videotape of you running or walking on a treadmill to see
what specifically your foot is doing with each stride. Many runners and walkers
overpronate, which occurs when your arch is allowed to collapse excessively,
allowing too much inward rotation. This puts pressure on your knees, hips,
shins, etc, and causes many common running injuries. Fortunately, it is fairly
easy to solve with a supportive pair of shoes or over the counter orthotic
device. Do I need an appointment for a gait analysis?
No appointment is necessary. Simply stop in at one of our
4 Colorado locations, and our well trained staff will take care of all your
footwear needs.Our History
Over the years Boulder,
Colorado has established itself as a hotbed of endurance sports, running in
particular. For the last decade this image has been enhanced by the Boulder
Running Company, a running and walking store largely responsible for raising the
bar and expectations of specialty running stores throughout the country. By
using free video gait analysis and some of the best trained and most committed
staff in the country the store has proven that the right shoe can make the
difference for a person's health and comfort, regardless of the person's shape,
size or level of conditioning. The Boulder Running Company has become a vital
landmark in Boulder.
Johnny Halberstadt and Mark Plaatjes, South African émigrés and running
legends, take living and working in the preeminent running capital of the world
seriously. Majority owners of the award winning Boulder Running Company, Johnny
and Mark, add incredible character to the store. Johnny, who was the 1972 NCAA
10000 meter champion (the year that PRE won the 5000) but was denied a chance to
run in the Olympics, moved to the United States and established himself as one
of the leading innovators in footwear technology with patents such as the
divided heel. Mark, an athlete in the late 1980's in South Africa, with the help
of Johnny was able to secure a scholarship and subsequently gain asylum in the
United States and shortly after proudly won the 1993 World Championship Marathon
for the US. Mark is now a world renowned physical therapist, and operates In
Motion Rehabilitation; his own practice. Both, including minority owner Aaron
Bouplon, spend quite a bit of time in the store and are easily approachable.
Located in a city that hosts the annual Bolder Boulder, fourth largest 10k in
the US with almost 45,000 runners participating each Memorial Day, the store is
constantly assisting runners and solving problems. The free video gait analysis
provides the information that the staff needs to help a find the right shoe for
you. By maintaining a broad selection of all of the major brands (and most of
the minor ones), the Boulder Running Company is sure to have the right shoe for
you. For those who stroll at a more leisurely pace, the Boulder Running Company
is proud to display its new casual and stylish footwear and clothing selections,
including Birkenstock, Keen, Naot, and Prana, just to name a few. Stop in
and see for yourself.
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In 2006 were awarded the Best Running Store in the the US by the
Running Network- a collection of over 40 sporting goods and footwear
publications in conjunction with the IRRA (Independent Running Retailers
of America). Mystery shoppers were sent out to hundreds of stores like
ours, and scored us on objective criteria which included customer
service, friendliness, knowledge, and professionalism. In 2007 & 2008,
we were again ranked as a top rated store, and we're aiming for number 1
again in 2009.
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In 2008, the founders of the Boulder Running Company Mark Plaatjes &
Johnny Halberstadt were awarded the Esprit Entrepreneur of the Year
Award for 2008 by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. Both originally from
South Africa, the pair found the company in 1995.
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Boulder Running Company voted Best Running Store in Boulder by
the readers of the Daily Camera, Boulders largest newspaper.
"It’s easy to see why Boulder Running Company has long been a
favorite of local athletes as well as the throngs of runners who
flock to Boulder for high altitude training...."
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