Solestop Launches Run Club with First Community Run

Solestop has officially launched the Solestop Run Club, marking a significant step in the brand’s evolution from retail store to community-driven platform.

Founded in 2004 by Sam and Joey, Solestop began as a small shop inside Pacific Mall in Markham. The brand later expanded in 2015 with a standalone store in Downtown Markham, gradually establishing itself as a key destination connecting sneaker culture with the local community.

As running continues to grow as a mainstream lifestyle activity, Solestop created the Run Club to provide an open and inclusive platform where people of all backgrounds, identities, and running levels can come together through shared movement and outdoor experiences.

First Event: Friends & Family Soft Launch Run

The Solestop Run Club officially kicked off on April 18, 2026, with its first Friends & Family soft launch event in Markham.

The session was planned by Kaycie and led by Alan and his team. The 5KM route started and finished at the Solestop store.

Participants gathered at approximately 9:45 AM for check-in, followed by an introduction and warm-up session at 10:00 AM. The run officially began at around 10:30 AM.

Runners of different backgrounds and experience levels took part, all successfully completing the route together. After the run, participants gathered at the finish line for a relaxed and welcoming social moment.

Event Reflection & Future Plans

As a soft launch event, the session ran smoothly overall while also providing valuable learnings for future improvements. Minor challenges included limited warm-up space and occasional route uncertainty for some participants.

Solestop shared that these early insights will help shape and refine future Run Club events, with a focus on improving experience and accessibility.

The Solestop team is now preparing its next official public Run Club event, with further details to be announced soon.