50 Years Strong: Lincoln Running Co. Celebrates a Golden Milestone

In 2026, Lincoln Running Co. celebrates something truly rare in today’s retail landscape: 50 years of serving the community from the same location, under the same family ownership, and with the same mission that started it all.

BY TESSA WISER

Founded in 1976 and locally owned by the Rogers family, Lincoln Running Co. has spent five decades helping people of all ages stay active, healthy, and moving.

What began as a specialty running store has grown into a trusted community resource; not just for runners, but for walkers, families, youth athletes, and anyone seeking a more comfortable, confident stride. 

Step inside Lincoln Running Co., and you’ll quickly discover it’s about much more than shoes.

Ann Ringlein has been the manager of Lincoln Running Co. for 41 years and counting. Her main goal when customers walk in is to have them leave with a smile.

Originally named, The Athlete's Foot when it first opened, Lincoln Running Co. later decided to change the name.

“That is our intent with every customer - to have them leave happier than they came in,” Ringlein said. “We want to help everyone, from elite runners to junior high kids just starting track or cross country, to the 85-year-old that comes in for comfort, to the beginning marathoner/1/2 marathoner, to the first-time 5K-er!”

You’ll find carefully selected running and walking footwear, performance apparel, socks, and recovery tools. But what truly sets the store apart is the experience. Every fitting is personal. 

The team understands that the right gear isn’t just about performance. It’s about longevity, comfort, and building habits that last a lifetime.

Over the years, Lincoln Running Co.’s staff has mirrored the very community it serves.

“We donate shoes to The Bridge Behavioral Health and have started a running group there,” Ringlein informs. “Three days a week, we meet at The Bridge and run with the [people] that choose to participate. We also donate shoes to several non-profits in Lincoln.”

Fifty years in the same location tells a story of consistency. But 50 years of relationships tell a much deeper story.

Ann Ringlein helping out a customer with a fitting.

Lincoln Running Co. has cultivated long-standing connections with local medical professionals, coaches, and wellness leaders. The store has become a reliable resource for injury-prevention guidance, training support, and educational insights. When someone walks through the door with a concern about discomfort or recurring pain, they’re met with thoughtful attention and informed recommendations.

“We not only have shoes to help people, but we have a ton of knowledge about shoes, running, walking, moving, injuries, and we have information to help,” Ringlein said. “We can [get] people started with fitness programs, we can suggest medical professionals, and we can give sympathy to those who are hurting or injured.”

The recognition has followed, including being named one of the Top 50 Best Running Stores in America for the third time. Yet accolades aren’t what matter most.

As the store celebrates this golden anniversary year, it does so with gratitude — for the Lincoln community, for loyal customers, and for the generations who have made the past 50 years possible.

And if the last five decades are any indication, it will be grounded in the same values that started it all: expertise, integrity, service, and genuine care.

Here’s to 50 years of movement, and many more miles ahead.

“Not only are we here to sell shoes, but also inform and support those wishing to move more.” 

To learn more or join in celebrating this milestone year, visit lincrunningcompany.com or stop by the store to experience the tradition firsthand.

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