THE LOCAL RUNNING SCENE celebrates the tradition of competition and the camaraderie that develops between athletes and others of all ages and abilities. Whether we’re competing ourselves or standing and cheering for someone else, we’ll want to make sure we’re comfortable doing it.
Feet are often taken for granted when evaluating personal well-being, but when we make foot health a priority, many of the lifestyle aches and pains we’re dealing with can be reduced or even eliminated. It all starts with what type of shoes we put on, how often we change them throughout the day, and when we replace them with new ones.
The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments all working together to provide support, balance, and mobility. Those are a lot of moving parts. Additionally, everyone’s feet are set up a little bit differently and should be evaluated individually.
Don’t let the name fool you. Dave’s Running Shop provides performance footwear and orthotics for people of all ages and lifestyle preferences. You don’t have to be a runner to find the right footwear at Dave’s. In fact, a large number of our customers don’t run at all, but they keep coming back because their feet feel good in their selection and they were treated right during their visit.
Getting fitted in the proper footwear consists of several observational and measuring steps. All of these steps are pretty basic, but it takes a trained professional to evaluate what they all mean once put together.
During a fitting at Dave’s, you’ll be asked to walk, run or jog, stand in varying ways, and flex your feet through a few low-intensity movements. Measurements will be taken, and your existing shoes will be inspected for wear patterns before any type of shoe is recommended and tried on for comfort. You’ll be able to walk around the store in each pair and ask any questions that arise.
It may be that you simply need an insole for the type of shoe you’re already wearing. Ultimately, it’s about what feels best to you, so you shouldn’t ever feel pressured into any one choice during a fitting.
Unfortunately, shoes will not last a lifetime. They only last so long before the stability and cushioning begin to break down and no longer support your foot health. When worn regularly, shoes typically last about six months before they should be replaced. Frequency of wear, type of activity, wear patterns, and miles put on them will be the primary deciding factors in their overall lifespan. Dave’s maintains a personal fitting history and sends out reminders when it’s time to replace shoes too.
Dave’s Running Shop is the only locally owned and operated footwear store in Northwest Ohio, and was the first running shop in Ohio. Founded in 1973, four area locations serve the community from Sylvania, Perrysburg, Findlay, and Delta. The staff is thoroughly trained on the ideal fitting process and latest footwear technology, and no one at Dave’s works on a footwear sale commission. The sole mission is to fit each individual in what’s right for them and their lifestyle goals.
Don’t miss Dave’s races!
Runners, get ready to “take your mark” in these exciting community events sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. For more information on any event, including any associated costs/fees, please visit davesrunning.com.
July 4th Spectacular
Thursday, July 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. at 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Ohio. 5k fun race for all ages to help kick off the July 4th events at the fairgrounds.
Rocket to the Moon 5K
Friday, July 4, 2025, 8:30 a.m. (Kids 1-Mile Fun Run at 8:40 a.m.) at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds, 1001 Fairview Dr., Wapakoneta, Ohio. Celebrate America’s birthday in the hometown of the first human on the moon—Neil Armstrong.
Woodville 4th of July Celebration 5K
Friday, July 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m. (Kids One-Mile Fun Run at 7:04 p.m.), at Trail Marker Park, 308 S. Cherry St., Woodville, Ohio. A nice out-and-back along the Portage River on Fort Findlay Rd.
WTOL River Run 5K/10K
Friday, July 4, 2025 at 730 N. Summit St., Toledo, Ohio. 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m. River Run 10K at 7:33 a.m. Begins and concludes in the heart of Toledo, Ohio, at the iconic WTOL 11 building on Summit St.
X&A 5K
Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 200 W. Maple St., Deshler, Ohio. 5K Run/Walk at 9:00 a.m. Kids 1K Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. Memorial 1-Mile Walk at 9:05 a.m. This event commemorates Xavier and Aidan Wensink and their passion for running.
Cridersville Fireman’s Jamboree 5K
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 7:30 p.m. at 100 E. Main St., Cridersville, Ohio. The Cridersville Fire Department will be hosting the 5K Fire Run. This year, the race theme will be Throwback! Put on your favorite 80’s outfit or wear your favorite throwback jersey!
2025 AW Youth Foundation 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Friday, July 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (1-Mile Fun Run/Walk at 5:30 p.m.) at Blue Creek Recreation Area, 7035 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio. This race is being held to benefit the Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation’s Youth Sports Programs.
Bascom Fire Bad Axe 5K & Fun Run
Friday, July 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m. (1/2-mile Fun Run at 8:00 p.m.), at Meadowbrook Park, 5430 W. Tiffin St., Bascom, Ohio.
Butterflies & Bouquets 5K
Friday, July 11, 2025, 4:00 p.m. at Homecoming Park, 715 Lawrence Ave., Wauseon, Ohio. This event brings the community together to promote gardening, conservation, and pollinators.
Delta Chicken Run 5K
Saturday, July 12, 2025, 8:00 a.m. at Delta Municipal Park, 511 Taylor St., Delta, Ohio. The Delta Chicken Run benefits the Delta Parks and is part of the Delta Community Chicken Festival.
Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, July 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. at Fossil Park, Sylvania, Ohio. Women only! The first 10 women to finish in a dress or skirt win special prizes!
Trillium—A Women-Only Event
Sunday, July 13, 2025, 8:00 a.m. at Centennial Quarry, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, Ohio. This women-only event is focused on empowering the competitive spirit in all women.
Dave’s Ohio-Michigan 8K & 5K Presented by Whetro Wealth Management
Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, Ohio. 8K and 5K at 7:30 p.m. Kids Run at 6:45 p.m. Dave’s Running Shop’s annual summer run and concert. The Ohio-Michigan border battle for runners—a race in two states. Join us for the best post-race party of the year.
Bluffton YMCA 5K and Kids 1K
Friday, July 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (Kids 1K at 5:30 p.m.) at 215 Snider Rd., Bluffton, Ohio.
5K on the Fairway 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. at 7711 Timbers Blvd., Waterville, Ohio. Come join us for a unique cross-country-style scenic run on the Fairways of Fallen Timbers Golf Course.
Ali Held Herman Memorial Run/Walk
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. (Kids Fun Run at 7:40 a.m.) at 601 Townline Rd., Bryan, Ohio. We honor the day Ali gained her wings (March 26) by having the run/walk distance be 3.26 miles.
Run to the Moon 5K/10K
Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum, 500 Apollo Dr., Wapakoneta, Ohio. 10K at 8:15 a.m. 5K and 1-Mile at 8:30 a.m. Celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing in Wapakoneta, the boyhood home of Neil Armstrong.
Tough Cookie 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. at McComb Village Park, South Park Dr., McComb, Ohio. Compete with others on our unique course of asphalt and grass with moderate hills.
Towpath Trail 10K and Half Marathon
Sunday, July 20, 2025 at Providence Metropark, 13827 S. River Rd., Grand Rapids, Ohio. Half Marathon at 8:15 a.m. 10K at 8:30 a.m.
2nd Annual Stony Ridge Civic Association 5K Run/2-Mile Walk
Friday, July 25, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at Stony Ridge Community Park, 5705 Oak St., Stony Ridge, Ohio. Benefits Stony Ridge Community Park. ✲
