Locally Owned and Operated

Reno Running is the premier specialty running store in Reno, Nevada, and it has the premier and dedicated staff to back it up. Matt and Aimee Balzer opened Reno Running on September 20, 2011. The pair built this company specifically to cater to the unique needs of Northern Nevada’s active lifestyle community.

Yes, Reno Running has top-of-the-line products, but what we really take pride in is our awesome staff. Each member of our family has a diverse and extensive background to help answer any question, whether you’re a walker, a runner, or an Ironman.

Community Giving

Reno Running Company has been a member of the Reno-Tahoe community for many years, dating back to when Eric and Stephanie Lerude started Race178 in 2004. We have been giving back to our community that whole time.

Over the years we have created many relationships with nonprofit 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 MuseumGirls on the Run -SierrasTruckee Meadows Parks FoundationBoys and Girls Club of Truckee MeadowsStep 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 Journal Jog Scholarship by which it awarded a $500 scholarship annually to one or 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

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

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

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.