Run Matters

Each episode will feature an in-depth interview of a leading run specialty retailer conducted by Running Insight Editor at large Mark Sullivan and industry data guy Neil Schwartz.

 Farley talks about managing his team through the pandemic, doubling down on bricks and mortar and his optimism for the future of the channel as well as his new store in Georgetown. 

Chris Farley is the owner and President of Pacers Running//Chief Running Enthusiast

A lifelong runner, Chris has been in the running specialty industry since 1999 and is considered a subject matter expert in running retail. Chris was lauded as a “40 under 40” for the Sporting Goods industry by SportsOneSource in 2011.  

Pacers Running owns and operates 6 locations in DC and VA and 18 road races from 5k to the Marathon.

Chris also hosts a top-rated running podcast, “Pace the Nation” that boasts of over 250,000 downloads to date.

Chris is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he ran Cross Country and Track for 4 years.  Chris and his wife Julie, live in Arlington, VA with their 2 sons James (4) and Paul (2).

Episode 1 of the Run Matters Podcast presented by Skechers Performance kicks off with a lively list of regular features and special guests, including a timely segment on running safety in the Run to the Finish segment featuring Social Media sensation Amanda Brooks. Hosts Mark Sullivan and Neil Schwartz then speak to our featured retailer, Chris Farley from Pacers Running in the DC area.  Run Matters then spends some quality time with “The Michael Jordan of Running,” Meb Keflezighi. There is so much more to Meb than just his amazing career as a world-class runner.  He is also a world-class family man and ambassador for the sport. Kurt Stockbridge, lead Product Developer for Skechers Performance, then stops by and shares some stories about how he works with Skechers team of great athletes to develop product that works for them as well as the everyday runner. 

Run Matters is a podcast powered by Skechers Performance™ created to help runners navigate the challenges of change and stay connected with runners of all levels. Hosts Mark Sullivan and Neil Schwartz will be joined on a regular basis by writer and run coach, Amanda Brooks, the mind behind the Run To the Finish blog along with Kurt Stockbridge, the lead product designer for Skechers Performance. 

Each show will feature conversations with elite runners Meb Keflezighi and Edward Cheserek alongside interviews with the top running store owners in the country.