Meet Beverly Lynch of Running Excels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Lynch.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have not always been a runner. My passion for running developed as I was raising 5 wonderful children and I found this to be the most effective exercise to help me stay in shape. Leaving my profession as a nurse was never in the plan, but as life happens, things change. After working a few hours a week at my local running store, I was impressed with how necessary this location was to the neighborhood. Not only was it a retail store, but it was a positive destination place.

I wanted to create this environment elsewhere and therefore I opened Running Excels in August of 2010 in the Beverly neighborhood. My running club has grown from a few runners to 30-40 on Saturday mornings. Every day new customers are coming in. I feel very fortunate to have turned a passion into a career.

Has it been a smooth road?
I wish I could say it has always been a smooth run. Most obviously, the competition from internet shopping has presented a challenge. Ordering from the comfort of your home or office is convenient until you have to send it back because it does not fit right. Coming into the store allows you to leave with the product and knowledge.

Another one of the few struggles I continue to face is being open 7 days a week. Being an owner operated business, it is important for me to be there most of the time. That presents a challenge, especially with trying to manage family time and training for various races. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a staff and community that truly is vested in the business.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Running Excels – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Running Excels is a specialty store that specializes in fitting customers in the proper gear for walking, running and just everyday activities. Many come in for our fit process and appreciate being assisted in choosing the correct shoes and gear to ensure a comfortable injury-free workout.

People come searching not only gear but information on injury prevention, training and sometimes just to share walking or running stories. What makes me most proud is that Running Excels is truly a destination place. Everyone is welcome. The most common comment we hear is “I am not a runner”. We assure everyone that they are welcome and in the right place.

Our running club is large and solid. With group runs hosted twice a week, many runners from all over have come together to share many miles.

Lifelong friendships have developed, that may otherwise never have happened. Being located in the Beverly neighborhood is truly a blessing. The support from the business associations, 19th ward and residents is huge. Many of the businesses partner together on local events.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I absolutely love that Chicago hosts the marathon. I have run it 9 times and each year it gets better. Running through the many neighborhoods with the amazing crowd support makes for a phenomenally memorable experience.

Although many of our runs are through the streets of the beautiful community of Beverly, we are fortunate to also have the availability of running on the lakefront. It is motivating to see so many taking advantage of the paths along the lake, not to mention the beauty of the combination of the views of the lake and skyscrapers.

Pricing:

• Group Runs Tuesday at 6 pm and Saturday 7 am are free

Contact Info:

• Address: 10328 S. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60643
• Website: www.runningexcels.com
• Phone: 773-629-8587
• Email: excel@runningexcels.com
• Instagram: @runningexcels
• Facebook: @runningexcels
• Twitter: @running_excels

Image Credit:
Brian Harms, Claudia Parker Portraits

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