West Stride is a specialty running retailer located at the intersection of Northside Parkway and West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta. At West Stride, it is our sole mission to help our customers achieve their running and fitness goals, whether it be getting to the starting line for that first 5k or finishing multiple marathons. Through hands-on, attentive customer service and a unique, thorough fitting process our trained and knowledgeable staff is devoted to helping our customers "hit their stride."

We carry a full line of training and racing shoes, spikes and flats, as well as a wide array of apparel for all seasons and tastes. We also stock an assortment of accessories, ranging from nutrition products and injury prevention tools to socks, watches and sunglasses.

Please visit us for one of our group runs or running clinics, or just stop by for a fitting. We want to hear about your training, and hope to become an integral part of your running story. At West Stride, we strive to help all walkers and runners – regardless of age, ability or background – "Run for Fun, Run for Life."

About Genie

West Stride is a dream come true for owner Genie Beaver. Genie has run since middle school and was an Oklahoma state champion in high school in the 800m, mile, two mile and two mile relay. Genie also ran at Georgetown University and was a 2 time All America in the 3000m and a member of the team that placed third in the 1992 NCAA cross country championships. Post collegiately, she has had periods as a casual runner and as a competitive road racer. She loves the sport of running, but has been known to walk as well! Both keep her energy level high, are great stress relievers, and have provided her with many great and lasting friendships.

About Wil

West Stride store manager Wil Cramer has been running since he was 12 years old. A native Atlantan, Wil graduated from Grady High School in Midtown after a standout career that included four years as a varsity competitor in cross country and track and field, and three state runner-up finishes in track. At Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia, Wil continued to run competitively in local road races and open track and field competitions. Wil has vast experience in races ranging from 400 meters to half marathons, and is deeply invested in helping others find the physiological, social, and personal fulfillment he has found through running.

About Jennie

Jennie Kormanik has been working at West Stride since the doors opened in July of 2008. A Eugene, OR native, Jennie ran her first race at the age of four, a 50-meter "diaper dash" at Hayward Field. Throughout high school and college, she focused on the 800-meters earning a personal best of 2:06.9. While competing at The University of Akron she was a NCAA national qualifier and Mid-American Conference Champion in the 1500-meters. Jennie lives in Atlanta with her husband Leo and is currently attending the Atlanta School of Massage to become a LMT. Her hobbies include photography and graphic design, and her work can be found on the racks and walls of West Stride.

About Kenan

Kenan Preston began running the trails of the San Francisco Bay area at the age of ten with her father, an avid ultra-marathoner. After moving to Georgia, she ran for both the Dunwoody High School varsity cross country and track teams. In college, Kenan enjoyed running with friends as an escape from her studies and a way to explore the beloved home of the Bulldawg Nation, Athens, Georgia. She hasn’t found another aerobic exercise quite as physically and emotionally fulfilling as running, but on days off from running she finds peace and strength in her yoga and pilates practices. In her pursuit of a career in medicine, Kenan is working to become a Pediatrician, promoting healthy lifestyles for children and young adults in an underserved area of Georgia.

About Deeter

Sales Associate Daniel “Deeter” Dietz ran track in high school and then basically took 20 years off from running competitively or casually. He started up again back in 1997 to train for a 20K race in Des Moines, Iowa after entering a 5K race the previous fall and being humbled by having to walk. He kept going though and graduated to the marathon later that same year. He’s run 36 marathons (36!) since then and is always in training for the next one and beyond. Sometimes he has time goals and other times he just runs for fun. Running keeps him 'young' and has been and continues to be a huge part of his social circle. He’s always been motivated to give back to the running community and does so through West Stride, as well as through his role as a co-coordinator of the Chattahoochee Road Runners’ Go the Distance! Training group.

About Lauren

One of the newest team members, Lauren recently left the corporate world to join West Stride. Raised as a tennis player, Lauren earned a full scholarship to Furman University to play tennis. She began running to say fit in May 2008 and fell in love with the sport. She ran cross-country at Furman in addition to being a full-time tennis player, and she completed her first marathon that spring. Each day she is amazed at the friends she has met through the sport and the positive impact running has had on her life. Lauren was born in Okinawa, Japan, and has lived in Hawaii, England, and Italy. In her free time, Lauren enjoys brushing up on her Italian skills, catching up with friends, being outside, and meeting new and interesting people. Ci vediamo a West Stride!

About Clara

Clara Lau moved to Atlanta in July 2009, after six years as an Ohio State Buckeye. Wanting to get involved in the running community in Atlanta, she began working at West Stride. Clara began running in college, and has been hooked since. She loves running for fun (especially 5Ks), with the goal to consistently improve on times and distances. She stays involved by coaching for the Peachtree In Training program, helping novice and intermediate runners find the joy and community in running that she has found.