sportstyle

shop is working on a hybrid Turkey Trot, where runners could opt into a virtual race or run on a course the store will set up, with- in a prescribed time. "The virtual runs have gone surprisingly well," Angell said. "But some people, they're virtual-ed out." Ann Ringlein, manager at Lincoln, NE's Lincoln Running Co., concurred. The store has run several scaled-down races, and even when the events are no-frills, she said ("It's like the '70s now. We want you to run and then we want you to leave"), people have been happy to have a place to go. "I just wanted to race somebody," Ringlein said a customer told her at a recent event. 3. Good Gear, No Fear For run shops in climates that offer changing weather, both new and longtime customers may be looking for gear to help them extend their outdoor run season, so waterproof, wind- proof and cold-proof options in apparel, accessories and shoes is a sales opportunity. Apparel is the big focus at Mill City Running, Metzdorff said: "You can run outside in Minnesota in January, and if we can tell that story effectively, that's going to be a really strong segment in 2021." "We're cautiously optimistic that people will be sticking with running through winter," Gazelle's Brummit said. "More people will be looking for that gear that they don't have, like that basic black pant, so we're being really conscious to be in stock on the basics," she said. "And we're working with the staff to build our expert positioning so we can share that — that we're in this with you, we know how to do it and we can equip you through the winter." Keeping their events going is key for retailers Lincoln Running Co. (top), St. Pete Running Co. (left) and Gazelle Sports (right). 8 • November 2020 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com

• Cover