What is your name and how long have you been going to Up and Running?

My name is Angela Willis and I have been a part of the Up and Running Family for two years.

What brought you to Up and Running originally?

My husband and I moved to the Dayton area in August of 2021.  I began to look for a job, hoping to combine my love of running and working with people. Up and Running stood out to me in my search because I loved that it was female-owned, focused on supporting walkers/runners/people of all abilities, and clearly gave back to the community.  I applied to work here and the rest is history!

How is Up and Running different than other retailers in your area?

Simply put, UAR cares. UAR cares about the community as a whole. It doesn't matter if you are an elite athlete, a first time walker/runner, or someone whose feet hurt. You will be served well at UAR and with high quality service. I also love the education provided to us as workers at UAR so that we can best serve our customers. 

What's one of the most memorable experiences you've had with Up and Running (volunteering, at an event or group run, or whatever comes ot mind)?

One of my favorite memories with our walk/run group is the 5k we participated in this past month. We pushed each other to be our best, we cheered for each other, and we celebrated together. I loved seeing our group have so much fun!

Why is it important to you to give back to your community?

I desire to create an inclusive community where everyone is comfortable running/walking together. I remember feeling nervous when I first started running in college- feeling hesitant to call myself a runner because I had never done anything athletic before. So many people encouraged me and brought me in to the beautiful run/walk community. I want to be able to now be that person for others. I want people to feel included and valued at our group, no matter their pace or experience level. That’s what brings me joy. 

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