Other Sport / Features
Making running easy for almost 30 years
The diversity of Bristol’s runners – and its terrain – is reflected in the reasons customers give for coming into Bristol’s longest-established running shop, Easy Runner. For almost 30 years the city’s joggers have been supporting this family-owned-and-run independent shop, with its roots in a Hotwells pub.
From the lady needing shoes and advice following a barefoot rounders accident on the Downs, to the fella after off-road shoes to tackle Purdown, and the 77-year-old gent who took up marathons aged 67 and will carry on until eighty before hanging up his New Balances: all Bristol running life comes through our door.
These runners support diverse events too. The first Sunday in February saw the Southville Saucony set descend on Weston for the Two Bays Tough Ten, taking in the town’s traffic-free promenade, National Trust semi-moorland, testing woodland trails, challenging climbs and long downhill sections. Participants were aged from five years upwards, with parents introducing their young ones to the fun of a run.
Entrants from across Bristol and beyond are now looking forward to March’s Green Man Ultra – a 45-mile run around the city’s community forest path, starting and finishing in Ashton Court.
The next Aztec West 5K (a run around the business park’s environs) is on February 28, starting at 7.30pm with registration on the night from 6.30pm.
It is clear running brings joy to all, and it is wonderful to hear many talk excitedly of their hopes for upcoming races – parkruns, 5Ks, half- and full marathons, triathlons and Iron Mans – whether having the winner’s rostrum, a new PB or simply completion in their sights.
Perhaps nobody better exemplifies this joy than Olympian Ron Hill, who ran every day for 19,032 days – from 20 December 1964 to Monday 30 January 2017. We are proud to stock the gear he puts his name to, and congratulate him on his amazing feat (or should that be feet?). A brew and a Jaffa Cake await if he ever drops in.
Whatever brings our customers through our door, we aim to ensure they walk out with whatever it takes to achieve their running goals.
Easy Runner, 4-6 Horfield Road, St Michael’s Hill, BS2 8EA
Read more: 22-year-old aims to make Bristol fitter
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
