Grounded Running

Get Your Perfect Fit with YOUfit

photos by PAUL NURNBERG

Passion: noun, meaning strong and barely controllable emotion. That is the best word to describe the fire that local business owner Tim Waz has inside of him when it comes to running.

Before opening Grounded Running five years ago, Tim Waz, a former hotel executive and avid runner, saw a void in the Greater Beaufort area for a specialty local running store and a formal running club. At that time, Waz started the Beaufort Track Club and opened his shop, originally located in Port Royal. Driven by his passion and love of the sport, the free Track Club quickly grew to over 600 members.

Almost overnight, Grounded Running’s level of service to Beaufort became an amazing staple that we are thrilled to have in our community.

Grounded Running relocated to the Beaufort Towne Center (former K-Mart building) in September 2019, more than tripled its size, and continued to expand its services and in-store offerings.

Personalized Shopping Experience
Grounded Running utilizes their YOUfit process to ensure that every customer receives individualized service to ensure they are being fitted with the best shoe for them. The YOUfit process is a proven three-step cycle that Waz and his entire staff take everyone through, regardless of whether you are a marathoner, looking to run your first 5k, or just in need of proper fitting shoes for everyday use.
Interview: The process begins with a simple discussion to get a good understanding of the customers’ history, current shoe usage, and future goals.

Foot Analysis: Grounded Running then uses the latest infrared technology from Aetrex to take a 3D scan of the foot to get a proper fitting and better understanding of the foot’s shape and structure. They also use slow-motion video to evaluate gait and ensure the appropriate amount of support is given to the foot.

Shoe Fitting: The last step is the actual fitting process. Grounded Running ensures that the customers’ shoes fit their feet properly and offers alternate lacing options to ensure the perfect fit.

“We work very closely with our local podiatrists and physical therapists, many of whom recommend people to Grounded Running to get them in a more appropriate and comfortable shoe for their specific foot ailment,” said Waz. “A large portion of our customer base are not runners, but because of the time we take with our YOUfit process to fit our customers with the right shoes and the specialty of the shoes that we do carry, many of our customers can leave the store feeling much better than they did when they walked in. Most importantly, we love doing business with a focus on customer service and overall satisfaction.”

Grounded Running currently offers the following brands: Brooks, Saucony, HOKA One One, On, Mizuno, Nike, New Balance, and Altra. They carry a complete line of running, walking, and gym shoes, along with track spikes and trail shoes.

In addition to top shoe brands, Grounded Running offers a full line of specialty running apparel, socks, hydration needs, recovery devices, Garmin watches, sunglasses, insoles, and all your running nutritional needs to get you across your next finish line.

The Beaufort Track Club welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities. The free local community club meets Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, and meetups occur at different locations each week (see runbeaufort.com for full schedule). “Our club runs are truly for everyone, and it’s one of the best ways to reach your goals and meet other runners. We are a very social group, and we love supporting each other,” said Stephen Noble, Grounded Running’s senior fitter.

Grounded Running also works hand in hand with local charities, putting on events, clinics, and favorite races! “We are passionate about racing and making sure events are done properly, including course certifications, timing, and overall race management,” said Waz. “This is what our runners work toward every day, and we truly feel joy watching them achieve their goals. The finish line is where it all comes together, and very few business owners get to experience the feeling that we do from fitting to finish.”

Whether you are a runner, walker, or just need shoes and apparel for everyday living, get to know the Grounded Running crew. You’ll be supporting a small business, enriching our local economy, and giving back to the community you love.