LIVERMORE, CA — The team at Sunrise Mountain Sports doesn’t want anyone in Livermore to miss out on exercise for fear of being alone at night, or lack of gear, motivation or community.

The business has been around since 1975, but moved to its current location at 2184 1st Street two years ago. Sunrise Mountain Sports increased its footwear sales and wanted to create a running community for its customers, so the team organized its first Wednesday evening group run, a party of three.

Philip Pierpont, his wife and his young son were the only ones who showed. The next week a group of 10 showed up, Pierpont said, and the groups kept growing.

The runs are an opportunity to give people a sense of community, meet up downtown and maybe grab dinner together, said store manager Heather Figuers. The runs are also product demos, where customers get to try out shoes or other merchandise.

There is no fee or purchase necessary to participate, she said.

“What’s important for us,” Pierpont said, “we want to help get people outdoors, and having fun, and being healthy and exercising.”

Runners and walkers meet at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the shop. Maps direct runners to routes from two to 10 miles long, he said.

Runners and walkers meet 7 a.m. Saturdays, t00, but sometimes the group arranges to meet a trail head. Hikes near dog parks are held at least once a month on Sunday, he said.

“Our commitment is to do it, to be here every Wednesday,” he said. “They’ll always have someone to run with.”

Call the store at 925-447-8330 for more information.

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