Role - Assistant Manager Chance is from Winchester, Virginia, and has been running for over six years. His favorite shoe is the Topo Magnifly, and when it comes to racing, the 5K is his favorite distance. After a run, you'll usually find him reaching for a Gatorade Electrolyte to recover. What Chance enjoys most about running is the challenge that comes with it. He appreciates the hard work, dedication, and consistency required to improve, believing that the effort runners put in shows how far they are willing to push themselves to reach their goals. A fun fact about Chance is that he loves to work. Whether it's running, training, or tackling everyday responsibilities, he enjoys staying busy and putting in the effort to get things done.

Role - Store Associate Tyler is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, and now lives in Winchester, Virginia. He has been part of the running specialty industry for nearly a year and previously worked at another run specialty store. His go-to shoe is the Saucony Endorphin Speed because of its versatility and all-around performance. Tyler’s favorite distance is the 5K because it tests a little bit of everything—speed, endurance, and strategy. Outside of running, he is a teacher, coach, and runner. After a workout, he enjoys Santa Cruz Paleo Electrolytes in Lemonade flavor and Nature’s Bakery Brownies. One of the things Tyler loves most about running is how friendly and welcoming the community is. No matter your experience level or pace, there’s always a place for you in the running community.

Role - Store Associate & Writer Mark is from Winchester, Virginia, and has been distance running since 2014. His current favorite shoe is the PUMA MagMax NITRO 2, and his favorite type of run is a multi-hour mountain run with thousands of vertical feet. He enjoys the challenge it brings, the opportunity to be out in nature, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. A fun fact about Mark is that he is a poet with three published collections that explore seasons and landscape: Vermont Winter Reflections, Mansfield Soul, and Mountain Existence. After a run, Mark enjoys a Boylan’s Orange Soda and a meal from Aroma Deli in Winchester: a quarter dark-meat chicken with potato salad, rice and beans, and extra special sauce. What Mark loves most about the running community is that it provides both exercise and social connection, allowing everyone to share in the magic of the sport.

Role - Social Media Specialist Born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia, Ava now lives in Leesburg with her fiancé, Luke. She joined Runner’s Retreat in 2025. A former NCAA Division I cross country and track athlete at George Mason University, she competed in the 800m, 1,000m, and mile while earning her Accounting degree in just three years. She is currently pursuing her CPA while balancing her accounting career and her role at Runner’s Retreat. Ava’s current favorite running shoe is the On Cloudsurfer Max, and these days she enjoys getting out for relaxed runs and exploring new places on foot. After a run, you can usually find her with an everything bagel and cream cheese and an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Running has introduced Ava to some of her closest friends and taught her the value of hard work, consistency, and community. She loves helping runners of all experience levels find confidence in their journey and achieve their goals.

Role - Chief Morale Officer Max has been a valued member of the Runners' Retreat team for over 12 years. While he may not help fit shoes or work the register, he takes his role as Chief Morale Officer very seriously. His favorite activities include supervising employees from a comfortable chair, greeting customers when he feels like it, and taking well-deserved naps throughout the workday. Max's favorite post-workout snack is whatever someone is willing to share, and his preferred form of exercise is walking from one sunny spot to another. Customers and staff alike have come to know Max as a familiar face around the store, and he has perfected the art of making everyone feel welcome. Fun fact: Max has never missed a nap, and he remains one of the most popular members of the Runners' Retreat team.

Role - Store Associate Ashley is from Winchester and has been part of the Runners' Retreat team since November 2025. While she doesn't consider herself a runner, she stays active by playing volleyball. Her go-to shoe is the Brooks Glycerin, and one fun fact about her is that she is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English. After exercising, Ashley enjoys a refreshing lemonade. One of her favorite things about working at Runners' Retreat is the welcoming atmosphere. She says that everyone has something in common, which makes conversations flow naturally and helps create a strong sense of community within the store.

Role - Store Associate Originally from Winchester, Virginia, Pierce currently attends Marist University while staying active in the running community. He has been running for six years and recently joined the Runner’s Retreat team. His favorite distance is the 5K, and his current favorite running shoe is the Diadora Mythos Vigore. A fun fact about Pierce is that he studied abroad in Japan, an experience that allowed him to explore a new culture and gain a new perspective. After a run, his go-to snack is a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. What Pierce loves most about running is how open and welcoming the sport is and the diversity of people within the running community. He enjoys being part of a sport that brings together people from all backgrounds through a shared love of running.

A.K.A "The Slug"... ...according to my husband, owner of Runners' Retreat. I am the store's token non-runner. I was born/grew up in Chicago Heights, IL and currently reside in Winchester, VA. Favorite running shoe: Running shoes are not just for running. I love walking and being comfortable while being on my feet all day long. So my shoe of choice is the Saucony Hurricane. I teach all day and then come to the store to work after school. It is a shoe that I can be in all day long and not once think of my feet. Distance/type of run: As the "token" non-runner at the store, there is really no distance or type of run I truly enjoy, but having married a runner, there is no escape. Can I run? Yes, very slowly, and there should probably be a cardiologist on call. Do I ever run or even participate in races? Yes, once a year, and I am usually grumpy afterwards because I am sweaty and grasping for air, neither of which I enjoy. For most races, my role is to hold the running clothes that are shed before the race, keep track of keys, and take pictures we never look at again, but "must" have. It is an important role, and someone has to do it. When I "train" for my annual run, I am told (by my family) that my runs are boring. I have one loop that I like to do. It is a 5K loop, and I don't vary it because I like to see the progress that I make. I have zero sense of direction. This way, I don't have to remember which way I just turned in order to get back home. I can focus on telling myself that I'm not having a heart attack and to just breathe. Fun fact: I once won an award for my age group. Imagine my shock! I don't think anyone else in my age group ran that day. Favorite snack/drink: Instead of this question since I don't really eat/drink this stuff for its intended purpose, I'm going to comment on my favorite running gear: I like Shokz headphones and earbuds. The sound quality is amazing, and I am safer because I can hear what is happening around me. Since I run a predictable route when I do run, it is a safety feature I really appreciate. You don't have to be a runner to enjoy music and be safe. These headphones and earbuds are for everyone. Working at Runners' Retreat: 2 years Love about the running community: Runners support other runners. They are a community regardless of talent or experience. If you put on shoes and walk out that door to run, you are a runner. Our Thursday night run group is a great place for runners and walkers to be with like-minded people. I have seen some incredible transformations in people who come to the store and want to start running and then come to run group. They are inspirational...and may just get me to put on my shoes and run my loop.

Role - Store Associate From Stephens City, Virginia, and started running in 2023. She quickly fell in love with the sport and considers herself a "born-again runner." Her favorite distance is the half marathon, and her current favorite shoe is the HOKA Mach. One fun fact about Jenna is that she didn’t start running until after she had kids. After a long run, Jenna loves a good cup of coffee. What she loves most about running is the way it feels like a moving meditation. She especially enjoys her long runs, when she finds her rhythm and it quiets her overactive mind.

Role - Store Associate Coming soon!