A three-kilometer fun run with his young sons in 1981 was the catalyst that made then out-of-shape, overweight John Stanton realize he had to change his lifestyle. Then a food industry executive who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, Stanton began running secretly before dawn because he felt self-conscious about having his neighbours see “this chubby little guy” who could only run from lamppost to lamppost before having to take a walk break.

In 1984 Stanton opened a store and meeting place for runners in an 8x10 foot room of an old house shared with a hairdressing shop in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Twenty years later, the Running Room he founded is one of North America's most recognized names in running and walking. In late 2004, to be more inclusive, his company launched the Walking Room - a mirror of the Running Room concept. The store caters specifically to the needs of walkers.

Books:

Running: Start to finish

Comment from John:

Thanks for the great interview this evening nice to work with such a professional show!

Stay running and stay having fun!
--
John Stanton