Jeff Henderson Talks About Running in Columbus

Two runners on a trail in Columbus, Ohio

RUN THIS TOWN COLUMBUS

Jeff Henderson of Fleet Feet Sports and Front Runner in Columbus, OH, is not easy to miss. He’s tall—like really tall—and lean, with dark hair and a joyful smile. He talks enthusiastically and openly with an underlying contemplative tone, like he’s really putting feeling into every word. In conversation, it doesn’t take long to deduce that he’s passionate about running and the running community in Central Ohio. And so, even after a long on-camera interview over lunch for Run This Town Columbus, we still felt pieces of Henderson’s story—and therefore Columbus, Ohio’s story—needed to be told. So, we interviewed him again.

The owner of Fleet Feet Columbus, Ohio
Two runners on a trail in Columbus, Ohio
The owner of Fleet Feet Columbus


In Run This Town we talked a lot about how great of a running city Columbus is. Why should we consider Columbus as a running destination?

Columbus is a vibrant, growing community with an equally vibrant running community. Columbus has over 150 miles of trails and huge training groups all around town that provide phenomenal support no matter your pace. Plus, Central Ohio hosts over 280 running races annually that range in distance from 5K to 26.2 miles!

Still, you grew up here. What keeps you here?

The community. I love our community. I am continually amazed by how our community supports each other. Local businesses support other local businesses. Our schools are incredible. We have access to amazing running, climbing, mountain biking, and hiking all within 45 minutes.

The Columbus Marathon is one of the nation’s largest road marathons. What about this race in particular is so special?

The board of directors has done an incredible job creating a course that hits all the best spots of Columbus, with entertainment along the way and phenomenal crowd support. But more than that, it’s the marathon’s relationship with Nationwide Children's Hospital. They work together to host a program called Children's Champions. During the race, every mile represents a child who was nominated by friends and family for fighting or overcoming various situations. And the city rallies around these amazing kids and families; It's heart-warming to see them along the course at every single mile.

Tell us a little bit about your running history and how you got involved in run specialty. Not many people get to work and play in the same industry. Tell us what it’s like to live the dream!

I grew up running because I wanted to do what my older brother Andy did. As kids, we frequently had "races" around the neighborhood. I wasn't always the fastest, but I stuck with it. I had phenomenal coaches and mentors who pushed me to discover my true potential. In high school, I was fortunate to be on a track team with a lot of talent. I rode on their coat tails as they won state and national championships. I traveled around the country to run in Junior Olympic track meets in the summers, and cross country meets in the fall. And then I went to college to "run,” but discovered fairly quickly it didn't really work that way, and as a result, I ran into a few rough patches. But I always came back to running.

After a brief hiatus while finishing up my undergrad degree, I ran into the team from my high school as they were starting summer practices. One of the coaches—who happened to be an assistant coach when I was in school—saw me and we started chatting. Eventually he asked if I wanted to help out that season. That one interaction was the beginning of what would be ten years of high school cross country coaching, four of which I was the head coach.

Throughout that time, I took my team to Fleet Feet Sports to get fitted for shoes, and I ran in races hosted by Fleet Feet Sports. I always asked if they wanted volunteer help in the summers while I wasn't teaching and coaching. Eventually the owners invited me out to dinner and, in short, they asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I rambled for a bit and, eventually, they said, "You're hired." I wasn't looking for a career change; The job found me. And I couldn't say no!

Today, with Fleet Feet Sports, I get to coach marathoners; I get to host cross country camps, and meets; I get to travel around the country to "run." I wouldn't have it any other way!

While filming Run This Town, we were surprised to see so many craft breweries in town. Name your top three favorite run n’ brew destinations and why.

There are 37 as of last count!

  • Land-Grant is awesome! It's right off the Scioto Trails downtown. Great place to run from, or to! And they support a lot of local runs.
  • Four String Brewing has some tasty brews, and is located near a newly-finished trail on the west side of town. Their tasting room is great for a post-run meet up!
  • Lineage Brewing in Clintonville on the north side is also a must visit. Phenomenal atmosphere with quick access to the Olentangy trails.

It’s easy to overlook trail running in a big city, but you’ve managed to grow the sport in Columbus. How did you do it and do you have any recommendations for runners in cities across the country to do the same?

Follow your passion. I do a fair amount of trail running, and I grew frustrated that I had to drive an hour to find any singletrack trails. I didn't know what I was getting into when I began the process of contacting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about the potential for building a trail in a nearby state park (watch Run This Town and learn more), but I knew that it could happen if they would grant us some land to work on.

Luck was on our side and they granted us 500 acres about five miles from our Lewis Center store. Our Rocks and Roots Trail Runners Association set out thinking we would have 10 miles of trail in a few months. That became a quick lesson in patience. It took four months just to climb through the woods and plot out the route. Building was a slow process. On a big day, we would build a quarter mile of trail. Five years later we are at 13 miles.

We have a long-term plan to complete a 50-mile trail that circumnavigates the reservoir. But the trail doesn't build itself. It needs constant maintenance. Summer growth can quickly swallow up the trails if we don't pay attention. Winter storms take down countless trees and make some areas impassable. Fortunately, though, the greatest source of trail maintenance is feet on the ground. All you need are passionate folks to get out and run the trails, give a heads up on maintenance needs, and lend the occasional helping hand.

And, finally, if someone could only come to Columbus for 24 hours, where would you tell them to run and grab a bite?

  • Breakfast and/or donuts at DK Diner in Grandview. Amazing, classic donuts. Great pancakes, and Dana's Deluxe Breakfast sandwich is the bomb!
  • You can hop on the Scioto and Olentangy trails before or after filling up!
  • Lunch at Brown Bag Deli in German Village. Their sandwiches are freaking amazing. They are delicious and huge!
  • Then, you can easily take off for a run through German Village and pedestrian friendly downtown.
  • Finally, wind down with dinner at Northstar Cafe in Clintonville and enjoy the tasty treat on their menu (you will want to pack this place up and take it with you when you leave Columbus).


TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR RUN THIS TOWN COLUMBUS!