While racquetball and donkey basketball require expensive equipment and trained domesticated animals, running requires little more than shoes, sheer will, and a cul-de-sac that’s free of steel traps. Look like you were born to run with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of shoes, apparel, accessories, and more at Columbus Running Company’s three locations.

Owned and operated by experienced runners, Columbus Running Company strives to support the benefits of walking and running by providing a wide variety of gear, personalized service, and community support. The store is stocked with goods that range from the necessary basics to accessories bursting with more technology than a remote-controlled hummingbird. Slip on a pair of sleek Saucony Guide 4 ($99.99) or Brooks Adrenaline GTS ($100) foot helmets and test them out on the in-store treadmill before setting out to find the meaning of life on a literal cross-country run. The Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp illuminates nighttime runs, making joggers visible to drivers and spontaneously appearing portals to the underworld visible to joggers ($29.99). For shins and calves that are feeling down in the dumps, Zensah compression sleeves provide needed support with gradient compression and strategic ribbing that increases blood flow, making muscles feel as limber as a spider monkey sipping on a wine cooler ($39.99).

An individualized training plan is also available, allowing runners to pick the brains of Cbus Pacer running club coaches and Columbus Running Company owners Eric Fruth and Jim Jurcevich ($75). Participants will receive a daily plan based around their goals, ability, and schedule. Coaches are available to meet with their runners mid-stride to pass along a torch burning bright with knowledge.

Reviews

Columbus Running Company, which boasts more than 1,700 friends on Facebook, was reviewed on the blog Agile Toes:

• Jim has a great thing going on at CRC. Enthusiastic employees and loyal customers make this store feel like a family. Everyone was joking back and forth all evening, yet I didn’t doubt that they could be very serious if anyone needed help. They have a huge shoe collection to fit any form with the knowledge to put people in the right shoe. – Amy Lane, Agile Toes