At an emotional celebration on the final day of The Running Event 2023 in Austin, TX, last month, Palmetto Running was named the 2023 Store of the Year. The two-store chain in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, SC, came out on top over three other finalists — Fleet Feet Louisville, Mill City Running and Running Lab.

The award was accepted by family members and co-owners Keri Straughn, Christian Fyfe and Rob Fyfe.

Founded in 2011, Palmetto Running Company is a family-owned business founded by the father, son and daughter team located in the heart of the Lowcountry. Palmetto Running prides itself on a highly curated collection of versatile products that are thoughtfully made with the planet and people in mind. 

“As business owners, we believe that owning a store is about so much more than the day-to-day. It’s about what you choose to do with the platform you’ve been given,” the co-owners tell Running Insight+. “Here at PRC we want to redefine run specialty. Whether its employee culture, community involvement, customer experience, store visuals, product assortment or environmental impact, we are always looking for ways to push the norm. We believe that run specialty is so much more than just the sport. It’s about inclusion. It’s about mental wellness. It’s about the feeling of being a part of something bigger. Together we have the power to change lives. 

“We view this award as a true reflection of our incredible team. Even with two doors we have always run our business with a small staff. That’s because the team we have works so hard and believes in our store so much. They show up every day ready to make a difference in someone’s life. They come in full of life with each of our core values close at heart. So this award is for them. It shows that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.” 

Profiles of all of the 2023 Best Running Stores winners will appear in the special Year-End Issue of Running Insight, to be published this week and available at runninginsight.com.