On February 18th, The Running Room officially opens its doors in West Edmonton Mall. And following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a Family Day Fun Run will be held in support of the Edmonton Food Bank.

The Running Room’s Founder and CEO John Stanton will be on hand to present medals to each participant.

The Running Room has come a long way since its inception in 1984. It was thirty-two years ago that Stanton realized he had to change his lifestyle and make his health a priority.

Stanton’s first store, which initially served as a meeting place for runners, consisted of an 8 x 10 foot room in an old house in Edmonton. He then went on to run over 60 marathons.

Today, there are more than 100 Running Room stores in Canada and the United States. Stanton is a best-selling author of eight books on running and walking and was most recently inducted into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame.

We were curious to know more about the man behind the empire, so we asked for an interview with Stanton and here’s what he had to say:

Q: Before you started running you had poor eating habits and smoked cigarettes. What made you want to make a change and get serious about your health?

A: Fear was the big factor. My two young sons had challenged me to run a 5K fun run. This was a true awakening for me when I realized how out of shape I had let myself become. Like so many people I had placed my efforts and focus on my family, business and community activities but neglected my own health.

Q: The first store initially served as a meeting place for runners back in 1984. How has the running community changed since then?

A: We are now across Canada and parts of the USA, rather than a single location, but we are still a meeting place and resource centre for runners and walkers.

Q: How does The Running Room become a part of someone’s everyday life?

A: Running becomes a lifestyle and with it we meet some positive minded people who share our vision and lifestyle. Because we care about ourselves we also care about other people. We are more than just a retail outlet we truly build a sense of community, provide knowledge and create many fun and fundraising events in these communities.

Q: Why has running become so popular?

A: The free run groups and clinics build a sense of community during a time when our world needs more community, support and positive lifestyle changes necessary.

Q: What advice do you have for beginners who want to take up running?

A: Listen to your body, be gentle enough to stay injury free but challenge yourself so you see improvement, as you improve you will get stronger and faster with time. The key is to stay injury free, I also highly encourage people to join a group for the positive peer pressure and support, and the group will help keep you committed.

Q: You run in all types of weather. What sort of gear do runners need for bracing cold Canadian winters?

A: 1. Wear three layers: base layer, insulating layer and windproof shell. Some clothing is quite efficient, such as Fit-Wear, and if you have this then two layers will suffice.
2. Do not expose too much skin. Keep all extremities covered, i.e., ears, hands, wrists, ankles and neck. Your respiratory area (nose and mouth) will stay warm because of the natural breathing going on while you exercise.
3. Apply Bodyglide or another type of body lubricant to any exposed skin to help protect it from the wind and drying effects of the cold.
4. Run in small loops close to your home base. Then, if you find it is getting unbearable, you will not be too far away from shelter.
5. Bring cab fare, cell phone and I.D.
6. Tell someone where you are going (route map) and give that person an idea of your approximate time of arrival.
7. If you start to detect frostbite, seek shelter immediately and warm up. Do not stay out any longer.

Q: Why was it important to add a new location in West Edmonton Mall?

A: West Edmonton Mall is truly a special place and one for our maturing brand to extend a presence. Shopping areas and centres often have a local, regional draw but in the case of WEM, it’s an international draw. Consumers of our brand will be able to shop in a Running Room brand experience within the Mall. The Mall is a destination for Western Canada and the Edmonton international visitor. In addition to the shopping experience of our retail outlet the Running Room brand will be elevated to an international scope as part of WEM.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: For the Running Room to continue to grow our brand for the next generation of customers. For me personally to continue to run each day to celebrate the joy of my good health and expand by circle of likeminded friends, who enjoy the sport of running and walking.

Find The Running Room on Level One, Phase III, near Entrance 50.