Whether you coach cross country in the fall or track and field in the spring, there’s one thing every team needs before the season starts: the right gear. The Running Place would love to help make that happen—with a spike night tailored just for your team.
At The Running Place, our main goal isn’t selling shoes, it’s build relationships with our local running community. That includes you! The student-athletes and the coaches who guide them. We’ve worked with countless high school and middle school teams over the years, and we’re excited to continue that tradition with our fully customizable Team Spike Nights (or Mornings!) at the shop.
So… What’s a Spike Night?
A “spike night” is a chance for your athletes to get properly fitted for racing spikes and training shoes in a fun, relaxed environment. We’ll help your team find the gear that fits their feet, their stride, and their goals for the season. But we also want this to feel like an event—not just a trip to the store. That’s why Mr. Ken and the rest of The Running Place crew are ready to customize your spike night (or morning!) any way you like.
How exactly can we do that?
1. Want a Morning Visit?
No problem. If your team has early practices or mornings work better for your schedule, we’ll open up early for your crew. Donuts and breakfast snacks? We’re on it.
2. Prefer an Evening Gathering?
We love those too. Come by after practice and let your athletes get fitted while enjoying pizza and some team bonding time. Make it a night your runners actually look forward to.
3. Let’s Add Some Learning, Too
In addition to fittings, we’re happy to include an educational talk to help your athletes stay healthy and confident through the season. Some popular topics we can cover:
- Proper Shoe Fit & Footwear Education: Why the right shoe matters, what “drop” means, and how often to replace shoes
- Injury Prevention Basics: Stretching routines, strength work, and good habits that keep runners strong
- Race Prep & Mental Tips: What to know before a meet, how to warm up, and how to stay focused
Whether your team is brand-new or full of seasoned racers, we’ll tailor the information to meet your athletes where they are.
It’s Not Just About Spikes
Yes, we’ll make sure your team gets fitted for the right spikes—but we’ll also talk about daily trainers, socks, recovery tools, and anything else they might need for a strong season. We carry a wide selection of running shoes, and our fit process is built around understanding each runner’s gait, goals, and experience level. Your athletes will leave feeling confident in their gear, and you’ll feel great knowing you’ve given them access to expert guidance from a local running shop that truly cares.
Make It Your Own
The best part? You get to shape the event.
- Want a team run before or after the fittings? Let’s do it.
- Want to invite parents and make it a whole team night? We’ll stock up on snacks.
- Have some first-timers who are nervous about spikes? We’ll make it approachable.
Just tell us what your team needs and we’ll make it happen.
Coaches, Let’s Connect
If you’re a coach interested in setting up a spike night, reach out to Mr. Ken and we’ll start planning together. We’re flexible on days and times, and we’ll work with your schedule to make the event as smooth and fun as possible.
Email us, call the shop, or stop by in person—we’d love to chat with you about how we can support your team this season and beyond.