The Colonnade at Union Mill, located in Clifton, VA, is home to Fairfax County's first "Certified Running Center". VA Runner, which already services the running communities of Fredericksburg and Woodbridge, opened its third "Certified Running Center" March 1, 2008 at 5734 Union Mill Road near Centerville.

VA Runner offers a large variety of the highest quality shoes for running, walking, and racing from companies such as adidas, Asics, Brooks, Keen, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, Pearl Izumi, Reebok, Saucony, and The North Face. A large selection of sizes and widths are kept in stock. Women's sizes range from 5 AA to 11 2E, while the men's range from 7 B to 14 4E.

The "Certified Running Center", or CRC, is a new concept to the running shoe store industry. As a CRC, VA Runner associates are required to demonstrate proficiency in gait analysis and shoe fitting. VA Runner accomplishes this by providing professional training in anatomy, physiology, running and walking biomechanics, injuries, shoe design, and the effect of shoes on normal and abnormal gait. A "Certified Running Center" places an added emphasis on proper gait analysis. Customers visiting any one of VA Runner's three CRC locations can be confident they will receive a top-level service from trained professionals. Indeed, owner Jeff Van Horn Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science from Central Michigan University.

VA Runner also supports more than 40 community running events such as road races, track meets, and camps, the more notable being the Blue Ridge Running Camp, the Backyard Burn series, and the Bull Run 50 Miler. New ventures for 2008 include the VA Runner/Reebok 5K race series and a September half marathon in Prince William County.

Store hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

For directions please visit the VA Runner
or call (703) 815-8700.

Profile of Jeff Van Horn from Washington Running Report 2007.