Black Friday 2015 – Relaxing Running Deals

Nathan Freeburg November 20, 2015 Black Friday, Running Gear, Thanksgiving

The chaos and crazy of Black Friday 2015 is nearly upon us! Standing in line for discounts on everything from electronics to evening wear has become a big part of many American families Thanksgiving tradition.

Gross.

I have only participated in the nightmare that is Black Friday once, which was plenty. We woke up around 2 am to stand outside a Best Buy, only to realize the thing we had sacrificed a relaxing morning for was gone. Instead, we settled for something that was purchased purely out of principal.

My idea of a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend involves a nice Turkey Trot in the morning, followed by heaps and mounds of delicious Thanksgiving delicacies, a nap, a movie, an early bedtime, then leisurely strolling around my local running store on Black Friday in search of deals without a big crowd.

2016 TC Challenge Series Registration — Treat yourself to this gift on Black Friday! Register now for the TCM Challenge series and set your 2016 calendar.

For the past two years, I’ve rounded up the deals and dealings going on at the local running stores around Minnesota this Black Friday 2015. There’s a little something for everyone. If you don’t see your local running store below, check this list of Minnesota running stores and contact them to see what they have going on.

Mill City Running

Stop by for the weekly Flapjack Friday run, shower, then come back when the doors of Mill City Running open at 10 am. If you spend $100, receive a $20 gift certificate. If you spend $200, you’ll get a $50 gift certificate.Their loyalty program also applies ($25 store credit for every $200 spent on regular priced items), so that’s some serious savings!

If that’s not enough, every purchase over $50 earns a ‘grab bag’ full of running goodies including nutrition, apparel, and accessories. A few of those grab bags even include vouchers for a free pair of shoes.

River Valley Running

River Valley Running in Mankato will be serving homemade snacks and refreshments. Stop by Friday – Sunday and get 10% of everything in the store. You can also find some deeper discounts on close-out items. That is a great way to get some deals on older models that are still just as cool but way cheaper. They will also be offering free gait analysis and foot assessment.

Excelsior Running

If you happen to be running the Tonka Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, you can get deals right after the race from Excelsior Running. Bring your race bib over the weekend and receive 13.1% off any regular priced shoes. They will also have snacks, drawings and crazy in-store deals all weekend long, including a drawing for a pair of Altra Running shoes! Get a $13.1 gift certificate with every $50 spent over the weekend.

Weekend hours:

Friday 10-7

Saturday 9-5

Sunday 11-4

TC Running (TCRC)

From November 27th through the 29th, TCRC will be giving away one $100 gift certificate at each store location. To enter, simply sped $50 or more. They will also be offering;

$25 off all regular priced shoes
25% off clothing including new fall and winter options
50-70% off clearance clothing racks

Gear Running

GEAR running in Minneapolis is hosting a GEAR Family Fun Run. Just show up at 9:00 a.m. on Black Friday and head out for a 4.5 mile jaunt around Lake Harriet. Coffee, Pastries, and Juice and a FREE RUN MSP coffee mug to all who attend.

There will be all sorts of other deals going on throughout the day, but if you want to spend your money on a cause larger than yourself, check this out. GEAR has partnered with Warrior Edge Athletics and Adidas to give shoes to aspiring athletes in Kenya. These dedicated runners are some of the best in the world, and yet they don’t have decent footwear. GEAR is collecting donations of $50 to go toward a new pair of trainers. GEAR will pick up the remaining cost, and Adidas will match a portion of the donations. The great Wilson Kipsang will personally select talented athletes who have never owned a pair of new shoes. In January, he’ll join Warrior edge to deliver each pair. Donations can be made in store or online.

More Deals

Startline Running in Minnetonka kicks off their Black Friday with their Gift Card deal. Buy a $100 gift card and receive a FREE $25 gift card ($25 card not valid to use until 12/26). Also “Donuts & Deals” Run: Donuts, Coffee and Special Deals throughout the morning. Run begins at 8am.

Friday Flash Sales:
8am – 10am get 50% off 1 apparel item.
10am-12pm get 40% off 1 pair regular priced shoes
Saturday Flash Sale:
9am-12pm only: 50% off 1 apparel item & 40% off 1 pair regular priced shoes

Run N Fun is doing 25% off the retail on all Nike shoes and apparel and free gift wrap on all purchases (exclusions apply).

Runner’s Gate in Apple Valley are offering customers a $50 gift certificate for $40 on Black Friday!

Check back over the next few days as we continue to add local deals from other area shops.

Black Friday 2015 – Online Deals

I believe it’s always important to shop local whenever possible, but sometimes you can’t. Here are a few online deals (and gift ideas) in anticipation of cyber Monday:

Runners Connect

Runners Connect is offering deals on both their Strength Training for Runners and Marathon Nutrition Blueprint. Both of these guides are extremely valuable if you’re looking to hit your 2015 goals.

Amazon

Hear me out.

You are probably going to get something from Amazon this holiday season. When you do, simply use the link below, and a tiny fraction of your purchase will help us to continue offering great content to you, totally free. It doesn’t even matter what you buy. DVD’s for the kids? Tools for that home project? Sweaters? Whatever!

Minneapolis Running Gear

Beginning Black Friday 2015, we will be selling t-shirts ($22) and hoodies ($44). Supplies are limited, but if you want to get a special alert the split second they go on sale, tell us here.

Happy shopping and don’t forget to spend the majority of your Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2015 weekend relaxing with those you love!