Iowa Running Co. Keeps Cedar Rapids Moving
When the owners of a Cedar Rapids shoe store decided to retire and close shop in 2016 after nearly 20 years in business, two of the employees wanted to keep their feet planted firmly in the city. So, Jim Dwyer and Clifton Trebil-Smith found a location in the New Bohemia area of Cedar Rapids, and in 2017 opened the Iowa Running Co. Nearly a decade later, their business is still running right along.
“Clifton and I share a very similar vision on how to run a business, and what impact a business can have on its community,” Dwyer says. “We very intentionally chose this neighborhood because it’s a historic area near downtown, and it’s also close to our very vibrant trail system.”
With those physical connections already in place, Dwyer and Trebil-Smith set about creating a strong community connection as well. In addition to establishing a weekly group run and supporting a charity sock drive, the owners envisioned the Iowa Running Co. as being a central gathering place for all manner of outdoor enthusiasts.
“We like to think that we’re the shoe store version of (the television show) ‘Cheers,’ where the customer comes in and we know their name,” Dwyer says. “We love to have that human interaction. Yes, we are in the retail industry. But we like to view it as we’re actually in the hospitality industry.”
Putting the Right Fit Into Fitness
When IRC first opened, the store offered three shoe brands and not much else. Since then, the company has greatly expanded its footwear selection along with its overall apparel choices to include sunglasses, caps, exercise pants, athletic tops and running jackets. IRC even has its own coffee roast called RunWell.
But Dwyer says IRC strives to be more than merely a place for people to purchase shoes and exercise gear. He wants to help equip customers in such a way as to ensure comfort and success in whatever their endeavor might be, even if it’s just doing a bunch of standing.
“Our largest demographics are runners and walkers, but we also see a lot of people who are on their feet all day like health care professionals and teachers,” Dwyer says. “Basically, anyone who wants the best, comfortable footwear around, we want to help give them guidance in choosing that.”
People often lump footwear into the apparel bucket, Dwyer says, but shirts and shorts don’t have to support body weight like feet do.
“A shoe is a piece of equipment to make a sport more enjoyable and help you achieve whatever goals you might have, just like a tennis player shopping for a tennis racquet,” he says. “Our job is to point the customer in the right direction as to what types of footwear are going to be best geared toward their activity level.”
A Community Concentration
Dwyer says the IRC likes to focus on things that are IRL (in real life). The store recently posted an Instagram message stating how the owners don’t really enjoy using social media, preferring instead to engage in “real human conversation” with members of the Cedar Rapids community.
One way that the store promotes those types of conversations is through a free weekly Thursday evening running group.
“It’s open to all types of runners of all paces,” Dwyer says. “It’s a chance to go for a run in a group setting and socialize with other people. Afterward, we might go out for a drink or get something to eat.”
IRC also connects to the community through a charity sock drive. The store originally donated one pair of socks to a local homeless shelter for every pair sold during the Socktober event held each October, but in 2024 extended that offering to include all sock sales year-round.
In addition, Dwyer serves on the board of the nonprofit Corridor Running club, which organizes five timed races each year along with fun runs on Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. He also is the current director of the Fifth Season Races, an 8K and 5K event that has been held annually for 40 years.
“Everything we do has community in mind in some form or another,” Dwyer says. “Giving back to the community in both time and financials has helped us be successful.”
Cedar Rapids Marathon Set to Debut
Long-distance runners in the Cedar Rapids region won’t have to go far to participate in an endurance race in 2026. That’s because the inaugural Cedar Rapids Marathon is scheduled for June 7.
The most recent marathon to involve Cedar Rapids was the Run CRANDIC race in 2022, and that was held on a route connecting Cedar Rapids with Iowa City. But this marathon is all about Cedar Rapids, with a course that will take runners from downtown, through the city’s historic neighborhoods and along the Cedar River.
In addition to the main event, which will serve as an official Boston Marathon qualifier, there also will be a half marathon, a marathon team relay, a 10K and 5K, and a kids run.
“This is more than a race. It’s an opportunity to bring our community together, celebrate wellness and show off everything Cedar Rapids has to offer,” said Jay Fanta, director of sports tourism at Cedar Rapids Tourism. “This event will bring thousands of visitors from multiple states to the Cedar Rapids area and provide post-race activities in the heart of downtown.”