In celebration of Global Running Day, we’re highlighting a local business that runs on culture. Waco Running Company is a specialty running store in Downtown Waco that helps runners of all levels find the right gear, training support and community connections. While this holiday highlights runners around the globe, the team at Waco Running Co. says the biggest impact starts right here at home.

“Customer service and a knowledgeable staff matter most,” said Nicholas Quintedo, assistant director at Waco Running Co. “We’re all runners in our own regard, so we can relate to the activity and adjust recommendations based on each individual.”

That expertise is baked into every visit — whether you’re being fitted for your first pair of running shoes or looking for gear to carry you through your next race. For local runners searching for a running store in Central Texas, look no further than Franklin Ave.

Waco Running Co. also plays an active role in strengthening the local running community through group runs, training programs and scholarships across the city. The store supports the Waco Striders, an RRCA-certified running club that hosts regular group runs on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, open to the public. They also help sponsor the Waco Women’s Training Program, an eight-week initiative designed to help participants train for their first 5K or return to running with confidence — giving newer runners a structured, supportive path into the sport.

Nicholas said that, to him, running is rooted in community: “We try to give back by giving support, food, time or a space for that community to grow.”

Through these programs and partnerships, Waco Running Co. continues to support the growth of local participation in Waco events while making the sport more accessible for beginners and experienced runners alike.

Beyond shoes, training plans and race days, running in Waco has become something much more personal. For Nicholas and the team, that’s most visible in the stories that come through their door every day.

Those stories often begin with a simple step: walking into the store, lacing up a new pair of shoes, and showing up for that first group run. Running creates shared experiences that bring people together — and that sense of community is what makes Global Running Day especially meaningful in Waco.

If you’re ready to find your footing, stop by Waco Running Co. at 700 Franklin Avenue. Whether you need a fitting, a training plan, or just want to know when the next group run is, the team is there to help you!

As Nicholas puts it, “[Running is] love and gratitude extended in every direction. That goes for everything in life.”