Since the opening of the Campbellsville location in the spring of 2024, Running Soles has provided more than just a store front for those in the City of Campbellsville. While creating a safe place for the running community, it has also provided a spark of energy for the city.
“Personally, I believe Running Soles has brought a new life and enjoyment to the City of Campbellsville,” employee Dakota Brady said. “I hear customers say how Running Soles is something Campbellsville has been missing.”
The Campbellsville store is Running Soles’ second location, with its original location in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. This storefront has brought many opportunities to Campbellsville, such as demo days and a run club. During demo days, different store sponsors come in and put on a clinic, allowing anyone interested to try shoes before they buy. Customer and Campbellsville University Cross Country Coach Corbin Harris said he feels Running Soles has provided growth for the running community in Campbellsville.
“Running Soles puts on weekly group runs that I’ve attended occasionally,” he said. “I love the outreach that Joey Hartlage is doing to provide more engagement to grow the running community in Campbellsville. Some of their shoe demo days are phenomenal. Allowing people to try new shoes before actually deciding to purchase shoes.”
The Running Soles team has helped not only the Campbellsville community but also the student-athlete population at Campbellsville University. CU alum and Running Soles owner Jiovanni Rivera has had a long-term connection with CU’s Cross Country team, providing them with discounts to supply them with the footwear they need for the season. Harris also highlighted the positive experiences the cross-country program has had with Running Soles over the years.
“Since I’ve been an athlete at CU, Running Soles has provided us an avenue to get discounted shoes and some help with our kids to get help in sizing and fitting,” he said. “Former team alumnus, Jiovanni Rivera, and his family own and operate the store so we’ve had a connection even before they came to CU. Since being in town, they provide a great resource for our student-athletes to pick up nutrition, shoes and gear to utilize for training and racing.”
Running Soles plans to continue the store’s growth in 2025, hoping to ensure a better customer and member experience. The vision of Running Soles is to educate and introduce the running lifestyle to all those wishing to join the community.
“I would like to see Running Soles gain more traction in the community by more participants coming to group runs and more consistent group events for the customers as well as the continued small-town feel of the shop,” employee Sam Bennett said. “Running Soles has a ‘friends and family’ vibe that might get lost if it became a corporation. Keeping God and people at the heart of all we do will allow us to maintain this vision and focus.”
Running Soles is located at 204 East Main Street in Campbellsville. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The store can be reached at 270-595-3019.
