An Interview with Frontrunners and New Balance Owner Rob Reid

Rob Reid is a very inspirational runner and an admirable business person. He is the owner of Frontrunners and New Balance in Victoria, BC.  This Times Colonist article shows that Rob has the passion for making a difference in the community and supporting great causes both locally and globally. He is highly knowledgeable about the sport and when I met him, I felt like I could talk to him about running forever. I get very excited when I meet people who have the same kind of passion about the sport as I do.

Above: Rob Reid and I.

I am a Frontrunners customer because I really enjoy the energy that he brings into the store and the passion that he exudes when discussing running. He has been in business for over 20 years and there is definitely a good reason why. Additionally, he has served for more than 20 years as race director for the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon and I will never forget crossing the marathon finish line for the first time back in late 2012, where Rob was there to shake my hand along with the hands of thousands of other runners.

Rob founded a charity running group called “Runners of Compassion”. He has also won the Victoria Businessperson of the Year Award presented by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce in 2004. In addition to inspiring hundreds of runners, Rob also wrote the foreword for a book called Running in the Zone: A Handbook for Seasoned Athletes. He lent me a copy of the book after the interview and I feel that this book is a great resource for runners. I’m enjoying the wealth of information about running and training that this book has to offer. I believe that it’s a “must-read” for runners. Everyone who enjoys running will love the stories too!

YANA: Have you always been a runner yourself or did you have other sports that you liked to do when you were younger?
ROB REID: I played basketball and did some running but did not get serious until I began running with a prof at University who introduced me to marathoning.  After a trip to Boston, I was hooked.

YANA:Who are some of the runners or athletes that you admire and why?
RR: Terry Fox was our most amazing runner/marathoner due to his more than human and humane Marathon of Hope across our country raising money for cancer research.  Para-Olympians are great examples for us all.  Rick Hansen, a good friend of Terry, did a great journey raising awareness that’s much needed.

YANA:I read in the Times Colonist that you have been in business at Frontrunners for 25 years, what do you feel has been the most critical factor in the success of your business?
RR: The success of my business has been by surrounding myself with those that are stronger and smarter than me in my weak areas, and who are motivated to make a business work outside the box – without a strong accounting team I would not last too long.

YANA: Have you always wanted to own a running store of did you have other career aspirations when you were younger?
RR: I took my BEd after a BPE. and Counseling. Teaching was my first job, and the marathoning became so much my lifestyle I became motivated to make the sport my vocation.  I opened a store with John Forzani in Calgary and then decided I would start my own in Victoria. Partnering with another store owner brought me the financial and supplier strength and then I had assistance to buy him out and redo to focus the store on a local nature.

YANA: What do you think is the best piece of advice ever given to a first-time marathoner?
RR: “Start slow and taper”. Walt Stack- 70 year old marathoner  – a negative split also assures a good day at the races.

YANA: What are your thoughts on the barefoot/minimalist shoes?
RR: Barefoot running makes sense for children living in an environment where there is only soft grass.  Minimal shoes, though, can make sense for drills and some trail running.  These shoes do fit well into activities such a Cross Fit.

YANA:Do you have a favorite running memory that you like to talk about (a race, etc)?
RR: Running my first marathon in Niagara Falls to qualify for Boston in 79, then running sub 2:30 in Napa then a 2:33 in Boston for its 100th event in 1996 when I was 41 years old.

YANA:What is your favorite race and why?
RR: My favorite race would be the GLFVictoria Marathon, having watch it grow from 800 to 14,000 and the Island’s largest tourist event.

YANA: What piece of advice do you have for a runner who would like to break a 3hr marathon?
RR: To get the aerobic fitness to break 3 hours takes a lot of dedication of putting in the miles and doing hills.  That would mean doing 5 days, at least, of running and covering 80 km plus a week.  Of course, rest is just as important.

YANA:Do you have any additional comments?
RR: It has been a real great experience living the running lifestyle and using it to assist in making a difference.
The clock of time is wound but once,
And no one has the power,
To say just when the hands will stop,
On what day or what hour.
The only time you have is now,
So live it with a will,
You never know when the hands may soon be still.

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I would like to thank Rob for the interview and wish him continued success! I look forward to coming into Frontrunners each time that I need a new pair of Saucony shoes 🙂