Locally Owned and Operated
Reno Running Company is the local source for all your running and walking needs. Matt and Aimee Balzer opened RRC in 2011 with the mission of helping people achieve their active lifestyle goals. Each member of our expert staff has a diverse and extensive background to help answer any questions you may have.
Community Giving
Reno Running Company has given over $100,000 to local nonprofit organizations. Including a few hundred pair of free shoes via scholarships to local HS athletes and cash donations to organizations including the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (formerly the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway), Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation (formerly Angel Kiss Foundation), Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, Girls on the Run -Sierras, Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Step 2, Reno High School’s We The People and Junior ROTC programs and Galena High School’s Leadership and Girls Varsity Soccer programs. We contributed proceeds from our races. We donated entries to our races. We helped in many other ways including providing race equipment, shirts or race bibs.
In addition, Reno Running Company had its own scholarship called the Ku Stevens Legacy Scholarship by which it awarded a $500 scholarship annually to two high school seniors heading off to college.
Meet The Team
Matt and Aimee Balzer
Owners of Reno Running Company
Matt and Aimee Balzer, owners of Reno Running Company, were honored to carry on Eric and Stephanie Lerude’s Race178 legacy starting October 14th, 2022. The Race178 name will remain the same along with its mission of showcasing the Reno-Tahoe area through premium running races.
Kelly Corrigan
VP Race Operations
Where were you born/grow up?
I was born in Colorado but grew up in Wisconsin.
Why do you enjoy being on the Race178 team?
We do good “stuff”! The team itself and those of you who do our races are so incredible to be around.
What is your favorite sports team?
Duh, the Green Bay Packers!
What is your favorite way to be active?
Run, ski, hike, jump into any body of water but prefer the ocean.
Julie Fontani
Volunteer Coordinator
Why do you enjoy being on the Race178 team?
Race178’s goal is happy runners and fun, safe events. Who doesn’t love to be surrounded by all that joy? I’m honored to be a part of this amazing team!
What is your favorite sports team?
Cheesehead forever! I’m a Green Bay Packers fan and any sports team one of my kids is on.
Hugger or not?
I’m a big hugger!
What is your favorite way to be active?
In my free time I enjoy doing anything outside. If the weather is bad I love to stay inside and snuggle with my dogs.
Leland Peterman
Manager of Racecourse Logistics
Where were you born/grow up?
New York
Why do you enjoy being on the Race178 team?
I simply love contributing to all the great things Race178 does for our community. I’ve lived my whole life pursuing and appreciating many different sports/disciplines, and I understand how essential they are to our wellbeing. I find it extremely fulfilling to help ensure our community members have access to fun, safe and rewarding events to pursue their sport in!
What do you do in your free time?
Nowadays I spend most of my time climbing. The longer the route the better! The longer the approach the better! When I’m not climbing, I love to be at my home with my fiancé and our two dogs, working on our house or playing music together.
What was your most favorite holiday/xmas gift that you received and why?
A bmx ramp. I was pretty young but so excited to try and jump it. I fell pretty hard the first few times haha! It stands as my favorite because my love for jumping bikes as a kid brought me to a lot of the other sports I wound up pursuing.
Taylor Wallen
Community Manager
Where were you born/grow up?
Born and raised in Las Vegas. Definitely a Nevada girl!
Why do you enjoy being on the Race178 team?
Helping runners achieve their goals is such a gift! Race178 produces premier events that are fun and safe for all levels of runners. It’s a wonderful team to be part of!
What is your favorite way to be active?
Running really really far! I also love climbing and backpacking.
What do you do in your free time?
I just love spending time outdoors with my husband and our dog.
Reno Running Company is the local source for all your running and walking needs. Matt and Aimee Balzer opened RRC in 2011 with the mission of helping people achieve their active lifestyle goals. Each member of our expert staff has a diverse and extensive background to help answer any questions you may have.