BUSINESS FEATURE Ready to Run Speciality shop focuses on joggers’ unique abilities S hortly after running store RunTex closed in 2013, Scott Hippensteel, an employee since 1993, opened Ready to Run with his wife, Karla, in the same building. Scott and Karla met at The University of Texas, where Scott was on the cross country team. Aside from owning Ready to Run, Scott is a teacher and cross country coach at Lockhart High School, and Karla works for the O ce of the Attorney General of Texas. “Our owners are awesome and make everyone feel very valuable,” Ready to Run General Manager Rory Tunningley said. Ready to Run sells running shoes and accessories and hosts free weekly running groups on Mondays and Wednesdays for runners of every pace. “We help all ranges of people; just someone who’s trying to move more frequently, or someone who’s training for the Boston Marathon,” Tunning- ley said. Tunningley said the shoe- tting process at Ready to Run is more involved than at an average running store. Other stores may take a video of a customer running from the shins down, but sta at Ready to Run pay attention to a runner’s entire body to get a better feel for gait, balance, foot variations and bone structure. “When you don’t look at the whole body, you’re kind of doing [the customer] an injustice,” Tunningley said. “A lot of times people think you should just be able to put on a pair of shoes and run, but a lot of times you need a little extra guidance, because everyone’s body moves so di erently.” Ready to Run also has an uno cial mascot: Tunningley’s bulldog Chunky. Some customers call ahead to see if Chunky will be in. “It’s funny … people ask me if she runs with me,” he said. “On a good day she’ll go on a mile walk.” BY KATY MCAFEE
Rory Tunningley has been general manager at Ready to Run—owned by Scott and Karla Hippensteel—for about three years.
PHOTOS BY KATY MCAFEE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
FINDING A NEW SHOE Ready to Run General Manager Rory Tunningley shares tips on when to buy new shoes. • Throw them out
When sole begins to compress
After running 500 miles
When bottom becomes smooth, loses tread
Foot pain can indicate time for new shoes
Ready to Run has an uno cial mascot, Tunningley’s dog Chunky who is not keen on running himself.
• The new pair
Should allow enough space for feet to spread out
Should feel like it is barely on
Ready to Run 3616 Far West Blvd., Ste. 120, Austin 512-241-0323
www.readytoruntexas.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
MOPAC
Along with shoes, a variety of accessories and energy and nutrition products are sold at Ready to Run.
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