Deerfield Running Store Switches Hands

CHICAGO, IL - A Deerfield sports store is changing hands following a deal between two of Chicagoland’s most prominent recreational racing companies.

Running Away Multisport, 800 Waukegan Rd. is closed this week but will re open on Monday, March 28 as Fleet Feet Sports-Deerfield, after RAM Racing in effect traded the retail outlet after 15 years of ownership in exchange for the rights of a few popular Chicagoland races.

Organizing the Soldier Field 10 Mile, BTN Big 10K, Rudolph Ramble, Magnificent Mile Half Marathon, Pumpkins in the Park and Ravenswood Run 5K will now be in the hands of Buffalo-Grove based RAM Racing, according to Crain’s Chicago. In exchange, Fleet Feet Sports-Chicago will take over the store in Deerfield. It will be the seventh Fleet Feet location in the Chicago area.

“We've loved bringing the races to the community, but we want to continue to get our customers the right shoes, clothing, equipment and advice at our retail locations and not worry about race logistics, which have become a real strength for RAM Racing,” said Fleet Feet Sports-Chicago President and CEO Dave Zimmer in a statement.

Both running companies say the trade-off allows each to focus more on their strengths. They will continue to partner to “work very closely with each other to develop Chicago's running community,” according to a Running Away Multisport Facebook post announcing the changes this week.