Buy $75 and Get FREE Shipping - TODAY!!!
A Legacy Built on Miles, Passion, and Purpose

A History Built on Community

It started with a van full of shoes and a family that loved to run. In 1973, Dave Mason — training to lose weight and falling in love with the sport along the way — began visiting Ohio YMCAs and company running clinics, selling shoes out of the back of a van. What began as a side project took over the family garage, then a 400-square-foot storefront at Daly's Mall in Delta, Ohio, and eventually grew into the four-location, three-generation running and walking retailer Northwest Ohio knows today.
Read the Full Story

Our History

  • 1973

    The Traveling Shoe Store

    Dave Mason starts visiting Ohio YMCAs, companies, and running clinics with a van full of shoes. The same year, the family puts on its first sponsored race, a 10-miler.
  • Mid-1970s

    The Garage Years

    The family garage in Delta becomes a full-time stockroom — at one point holding a staggering amount of inventory. Dave's lands a direct Nike account and adds New Balance, Brooks, ASICS, and Adidas to the lineup.
  • 1976

    First Storefront Opens at Daly's Mall, Delta, Ohio

    Dave's Running Shop opens its first permanent storefront, roughly 400 square feet, at Daly's Mall in Delta, Ohio.
  • Mid-to-late 1970s

    Mail Order Goes Worldwide

    Advertising in Runner's World, Dave's ships shoes across the country and internationally, including to Japan and Australia.
  • 1979

    Dave's Expands to Toledo

    Dave leaves his job at Dana Corporation to open a second location on Hill Avenue in Toledo, near the intersection of Hill Avenue and Reynolds Road.
  • 1982

    Dave's Buys Its Own Building in Delta

    Dave purchases the Journey's End building in Delta, moving the shop there and expanding into a small family-run strip of businesses, including the Old Town Creamery and the House of Iron.
  • August 1, 1986

    James Mason Becomes Second-Generation Owner

    Dave sells the Toledo store to his son, James Mason, who immediately computerizes the business and takes it into its next chapter.
  • Around 1990–1991

    A Move to the Promenade Shops

    Dave's relocates from Hill Avenue to the Promenade Shops on Monroe Street in Toledo.
  • 2001

    Dave's Moves to Sylvania

    Dave's relocates to Starlight Plaza in Sylvania, Ohio — its home today — and opens a dedicated New Balance store concept alongside it.
  • 2008

    Perrysburg Opens and the Training Program Launches

    Dave's opens its third location in Perrysburg and launches its Glass City Marathon training program. The same year, Dave's Running Shop purchases the original Delta store back from Dave and Sandra Mason.
  • 2009

    Anchoring the Glass City Marathon

    Dave's begins the ongoing anchor partnership it holds with the Glass City Marathon expo today, growing alongside the race as it later moves to the University of Toledo.
  • 2012

    Findlay Location Opens

    Dave's continues offering best-in-class service to its customers and, with the increase in demand, opens a Findlay location.
  • Today

    A Four-Location Regional Institution

    Dave's Running Shop operates in Delta, Sylvania, Perrysburg, and Findlay, alongside its Run Toledo events and DRS timing divisions, continuing under the ownership of second-generation owner James Mason, with third-generation family members increasingly leading day-to-day operations.