Independence Run & Hike has been the right fit for Carbondale going on 20 years now, and vice versa, just as they’ve worked to assure the right fit for countless feet when it comes to running and hiking shoes.
From day one back in 2006, serving the Roaring Fork Valley’s ever-growing community of avid runners and hikers with the perfect fit has been a primary goal, founding owner Brion After said.
“I’ve always taken the fitting process very seriously,” he said. “I train every single employee to sit down with the customer, measure their foot, talk to them about shoes, talk to them about their foot, and what works.”
That attention to detail in the customer service department, along with a big focus on fostering the running, hiking and general outdoor culture that’s already ingrained in the local community is now being recognized on a national level.
Earlier this summer, Inde Run & Hike was listed among the 65 Best Running Stores of 2025 in the U.S., as determined by The Running Event (TRE), an industry trade group.
To finally make the list after several years of trying, out of 7,967 applicants this year and especially as a small-town store up against much larger, high-volume stores, is extra special, After said.
Large chain stores that sell running shoes are exempt, but many of the independent specialty stores that made the list are in urban communities and have been around since the running boom of the late 1970s.
One new criteria this year may very well have worked in Inde Run & Hike’s favor — a secret shop at each of the 100 finalist stores by an industry representative.
“They actually sent someone out to shop the stores and get that customer experience,” After said. “They also wanted to know more about how stores engage with the community, and some of the other things that really make independent running stores unique.”
After happened to be on the biggest vacation his family had ever taken, visiting Paris in late July, when the announcement came.
“I joke that it took me 20 years and leaving the country to finally get some recognition,” he said.
TRE Director Christina Henderson stated in a July 29 press release, “Each year, we’re blown away by the dedication and heart these stores bring to their communities. The caliber of past years’ nominees inspired us to evolve the program in 2025, invest more deeply and raise the bar for how we evaluate and celebrate this incredible industry.”
Honorees will be celebrated at an Industry Awards Dinner on Dec. 4, during a TRE trade show in San Antonio, Texas. The evening will culminate with the announcement of the 2025 Store of the Year, for which Inde Run & Hike is in the running.
For After, it’s affirmation that what he set out to accomplish 20 years ago has come to fruition. It’s also cause to reflect on all those years serving the local running and hiking community.
The store’s namesake was After’s dog at the time, Inde, who was a regular on the weekly group runs that the store organized.
Matt Oates was his first store manager when they opened at the southeast corner of Highway 133 and Cowen Drive, in the space now occupied by the La Fogata restaurant.
Both Inde and Oates have since passed, Oates in a tragic car crash in Arizona where he had relocated for a new job.
“I always like to recognize him, because he was a big part of our early success,” After said.
The store has evolved since then, including two moves, first to La Fontana Plaza, and now in the City Market plaza. A string of store managers and staff also doubled as avid and often accomplished competitive runners, helping to foster that running culture. Zack Russell is the current shop manager, overseeing a staff of about half a dozen employees.
After moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2000. He worked in retail shops, including the Ute Mountaineer in Aspen, and as a rep for Adidas before deciding to open his own retail store.
An aspect of Inde Run & Hike that’s unique is its equal emphasis on trail running, alongside road running shoes and true hiking shoes and boots.
“I think we stand out in trail running shoes, but also on the apparel side where we’ve really expanded and take our lifestyle apparel seriously,” After said.
The store along the way also expanded into cross country skis and Nordic gear, tapping into another element of the Valley’s outdoor enthusiasm.
In addition, the store supports the local high school cross country and track teams by hosting fitting days and providing shoe and apparel discounts for student athletes.
Inde Run & Hike hosts a weekly group run on Thursday evenings, has a Nordic demo day at Spring Gulch in the winter and sponsors four local running races throughout the year — the 5 Point 5K during the 5 Point Film Festival in April, the Sopris Runoff trail race on the Prince Creek and Crown trails in May, the Mountain Fair 4-Miler road race in July and the Jingle Bell Run 5K in December.