A Letter from our Interim Executive Director, Ryan Callahan

To our members and partners,

I started in Run Specialty in 2010 like many of you: working the floor, fitting customers, leading group runs, and doing those small, hard-to-quantify things that make the shopping experience at a local running store so special. What started as a temporary gig until I found a “real job” turned into a 16-year journey that has touched nearly every corner of the industry and provided tremendous meaning in my life.

This week, I step into the role of Interim Executive Director with a sense of urgency surrounding both the RIA and the future of this channel. We have a lot of work to do to increase our value proposition for our members and a tremendous opportunity to be a stronger voice for our channel. We know this.

We also know Run Specialty is at a major crossroads. Running is growing, grassroots run cultures are getting bigger and stronger, and young people are entering the sport at a promising rate. But many store owners are nervous by what they are seeing “behind the scenes” on the business side. I hear growing concerns over concentration of power, wider product distribution, inflation pressure, and the specter of AI and how it might help and harm our businesses.

I believe the RIA needs to tackle these challenges head on and have a clear point of view that fully centers our retailers, regardless of size or door count. We need to be an organization fighting every day to cultivate a more financially healthy channel that is clearly distinguished from big-box retailers, DTC, and online marketplaces. I also believe we should have great relationships with our brands. It is in our brand partners’ best interest to support a healthy specialty channel. Doing so creates fertile ground for innovation, storytelling, brand growth, and product risk-taking.

Over the coming weeks, I will be reaching out to our members and brand partners to listen and better understand your individual challenges and priorities. Shortly thereafter, we will get to work building new programs, improving our educational resources, evolving the RIA Summit, and cultivating a stronger connection among our members. I promise you to work hard every day for our members and to be candid and transparent about the challenges we face. Speaking of - Please come see me at TRE and introduce yourself and let me know what’s on your mind. You can also schedule a meeting or text or call my cell at 215-688-0351. I look forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions.

Lastly, one of the most beautiful things about working in this channel is the incredible support of colleagues and peers. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the great leaders and mentors I have had the privilege to work with in Run Specialty, including Ross Martinson, Bryan Mahon, and Liz Pagonis of Philadelphia Runner; Bryan Poerner of Diadora; Kathy Dalby and Chris Farley of Pacers; and my Runhouse partner, Rita Carroll. I am also incredibly grateful that the RIA board has given me this opportunity.

Today is a new day at the RIA. I believe that by facing this adversity head-on, we will come out stronger than ever, as we always have before.

I cannot wait to get started.

• Ryan Callahan, RIA Interim Executive Director

About Ryan Callahan

Ryan Callahan joins the RIA as a 16-year veteran of Run Specialty with a dynamic background that encompasses both the retail and brand sides of the industry.

He started at Philadelphia Runner in 2010 as a Fit Specialist and worked his way up to Marketing Director with stops in buying and store management along the way. During his time at Philadelphia Runner he oversaw the opening of two stores (including one store where he slept in the inventory room for six months!) and founded The Philly 10K road race. In 2018, he started Runhouse, a creative agency that produced races and developed creative for running retailers, brands, and events. Through Runhouse, Ryan led marketing for Diadora North America in its early years from 2018 to 2020 and led the team that brought back the Philadelphia Distance Run.

Since 2021, Ryan has worked at Pacers Running in Washington, D.C., where he has overseen e-commerce, brand, marketing, and growth as part of the DC retailer’s leadership team.

He is passionate about the impact Run Specialty can have on local communities as well as supporting the people building careers and opening stores in this industry. He is thrilled to join the RIA as Interim Executive Director and help build an organization where retailers of all sizes are heard, membership value is increased, and retailers have a more unified voice to advocate for even better vendor partnerships and business practices that prioritize keeping Run Specialty special.

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