RUNNR is for Runner: A new store especially for runners opens in Ayala

CEBU, Philippines - Its business strategy is obvious: provide the best product, advice and accessories to all types of runners.

Runnr, a store especially for runners, which recently opened in Cebu, greets the runner when he enters the door, lets him browse the product by, then guides him when he seeks assistance.

Runnr staff prides itself with knowledge of their products. Fact is, when a customer enters the door, the staff already has in mind what he or she wants.

In the store, a customer meets people who run for fun, run for physical fitness, or run to win.

“We really want to bring it (RUNNR) to Cebu’s running community. It’s been popular and booming because everybody knows how good running is in order to stay perfectly in shape. In order to satisfy our runners and running enthusiasts, they should go to a real running specialty store to give the right shoes that best fits you,” said Toby Claudio during a recent press conference.

Claudio, the scion of the Claudio clan who owns Toby’s Sports – the largest and most popular sports retail chain in the country – is the man behind Runnr.

When it comes to products, Runnr offers premier brands including Addidas, Asics, Fuelbelt, Hammer, Nathan, New Balance, Polar, Nike and CW-X compression apparel.

It’s the first store in the country to bring in Newton – a revolutionary running shoes made in the US that have already made a big stir in the running community. This running shoes offer stable and responsive cushioning and its actuator lugs (or membrane inside the shoe) give runners added propulsion. 

Runnr is the only store in the city that uses an exclusive Footworx Fitting process. This process capitalizes on three technologically advanced systems – FootDisc, High Speed Video Gait Analysis and Custom Sole Molding.

These three systems, in one store, makes fitting for foot type and shoe type an exact science. There’s no guess work in Runnr.

A customer first finds out his or her foot type by slipping into FootDisc. Then he or she runs on a treadmill for the gait analysis that checks pronation. Customers could try three pairs to be able to find the right fit.

Then when needed, the customer could get an insole or an additional foot protection through a molding process called Flashfit in a matter of minutes. This service will soon be available in Runnr Cebu.

Runnr in Ayala is the first branch outside of Metro Manila. The first branch is in Bonifacio High Street.

Despite the fact that it’s new in Cebu, Runnr is already gaining popularity among local runners.

A few days after its opening, Runnr brought in two running coaches, Jimbo Saret and Julius Giron to share their thoughts to runners who will be competing in the Cebu City Marahon on January 10, 2010.

Its branch in Bonifacio High Street doubles as registration center for Luzon runners who would like to join the Cebu City Marathon.

Mary Grace delos Santos, the undisputed running queen of Cebu, was among those who had visited Runnr. Claudio made sure she gets to run with a pair of Newton Racer after he offered her a sponsorship. Delos Santos recently wore her new pair of Newton Racer to win the Davao Marathon unopposed, breasting the tape in 3:28.

“My feet felt so comfortable with Newton during and after the race. I didn’t feel anything at all,” delos Santos told this writer during an interview after the race.

Runnr Cebu also offers other running gears and accessories with brands like Sennheiser, Halo head bands, Body Glide, Speedlaces, Finis, Equippe, Mueller, Spenco and Oakley.

Jermine Germino, Runnr branch supervisor, said they are stocking up in anticipation of the influx of runners during the Running Expo scheduled January 6, 7 and 8, 2010 at the Active Zone of Ayala.

The expo is part of the activities leading up to the Cebu City Marathon that fire off two days later.

For more information, please log on to www.runnr.com.ph or check out Runnr networking sites in Facebook (www.facebook.com/RUNNRstore) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUNNRstore).