About Us
Serving the Greater Downingtown area since 2008!
After working in run specialty stores since 1989, Kevin Matthews was lead to venture out on his own and after six months of planning, Downingtown Running Company opened on March 17, 2008. The store has found satisfaction in serving runners and walkers in the greater Downingtown area. There is a large selection of shoes, apparel and accessories to meet the needs to those looking to find the right shoes and gear. We strive for the best customer service and satisfaction. Our goal is to find the best fit for each individual runner and walker by assessing at foot type and biomechanics. We also take other factors into account such as years running and history of injuries. We are very knowledgeable about running related issues, so we can assist our customers in finding the right type of shoe and answer any questions about running in general.
Kevin Matthews
Kevin grew up in Bellevue, WA. At age 14, Kevin ran the mile in 4:42 during spring track. He then didn’t do any running until he walked on Bellevue Community College’s cross country team at age 19. There he became a part of the team and ran a meet against Boise State. He was then offered a scholarship in cross country and track. After he ran for Boise, he returned to the Seattle area to continue racing. He was sponsored by the National Team Etonic Racing Team 1987-1991 placing personal records on the roads and Track. During that time Kevin had the goal to make the USA Olympic Marathon trials, falling short of the standard of 2:20:00 with a time of 2:21:26 (Portland Marathon 1987). Kevin placed all his personal records in his early 20’s with the exception of a 5000 meter track PR of 14:37 at the age of 27 in 1991.
In 1991 he met Mary and moved to Pennsylvania. Kevin continues and enjoys stepping up to the challenge in local racing as a master runner.
“I’ve always enjoyed running as the sheer pleasure and benefit it gives, I’ve been running every year for over 35, as well as working in Specialty Running stores for 30 years. I’ve been around the sport of running for most of my life and still can’t think of anything better than going on a run for an hour or so on the trail on a sunny 70 degree spring day”.
Mary Matthews
Mary started running after college when living in Philadelphia and working at The Hospital of the University of PA (HUP) in the surgical ICU. Because of frequently rotating all three shifts, running seemed to be the best way to get exercise (put on a pair of shoes and head out the door at anytime of the day or evening). She quickly found a liking to running in Philly.After 5 years at HUP, in 1987, she decided to get a master’s degree and headed out to Seattle to go to University of WA. There she met Kevin Matthews at a running specialty store where he was working. Mary and Kevin moved to PA and got married in 1991. Some highlights after moving back to PA included running 38:54 at Brian’s Run 10K in 1991 and then in 1992, winning the St. Patty’s 10 mile run in Leesport in 1:05:29 and winning the Penn Relays 20K in 1:20:21. She ran the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY in 1992 in 3:17:57. Mary then had three babies, John (1994), Jeffrey (1996) and Mark (1998) and didn’t run for nine years! Then in 2002 at age 42, she started running again and is really glad she did. Running has been a perfect outlet, to do something other than work and take care of kids. The main difference since returning to running that Mary has noticed is the increased number of running clubs and organizations to help keep up motivation and camaraderie.