Pacers Running Stores solidified its claim as Washington, DC's premier runner and walking stores with the opening this week of its newest and fourth outlet at 10427 North Street in Fairfax, VA.

With stores in Alexandria, VA (Old Town), Arlington, VA (Clarendon), and Silver Spring, MD, Pacers Running Stores, a family-owned business, is the fastest growing running and walking franchise in the region.

"Pacers of Alexandria started out as a family owned running store in 1991, and we've since grown our family into a well knit community of committed runners of all ages and skills," said Chris Farley, general manager. "Our patrons have come to see our locations as centers around which to keep healthy and fit as well as a place to informally drop in to share and compare running concerns and experiences."

He added, "The new store is located in the center of Fairfax's revitalized Old Town area and readily lends itself for the energized neighborhood running community we have developed in each of our locations. We also see runners as an active crowd, and plan to tap into their energy to become catalysts for local civic involvement and activism."

As with the other stores, the Fairfax store, with just over 3600 square feet of space, will serve as a headquarters for local running activities, including weekly Tuesday and Thursday fun runs. Participants of all running levels typically meet at the stores at 7:00 p.m. and take part in casual, organized runs.

Pacers Running Stores has also initiated a free run and health seminars series. Held in rotation throughout the stores, the seminars feature local athletic and medical experts to discuss and answer questions on subjects from heart monitoring to flexibility to lower leg development. A full list of seminars and running activities are included at www.runpacers.com.

Pacers Running Stores is truly a family operated venture. In any of the stores, you are likely to see a Farley attending to business. Chris (6th in the 2002 Marine Corps with a time of 2:33:01) is general manager. Older brother Brian (California International Marathon: 2:46) manages the Silver Spring store. Denise (Chicago Marathon: 3:16) splits time among all the stores. Meanwhile parents Chris, Sr. and Adrian oversee the operation while younger brother John fills in part time.

The Fairfax store will officially open Saturday, March 15, 2008 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by City of Fairfax elected officials. Several training groups, including the Pacers Fun Run training group, plan to meet for their Saturday run at the new Fairfax location.

For more information, including a list of other activities planned for the day, please visit www.runpacers.com.