Founded in 1991, Pacers is a running institution in Northern Virginia and has evolved into the premier running specialty stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Proud to be family-owned and operated, Pacers is the store of choice for runners and walkers in the metro Washington DC area and beyond. The quality of Pacers' extensive product line is only surpassed by the service and advice our experienced staff members provide to each customer. Since acquiring Pacers in 2003, the Farley family has solidified Pacers' reputation as the leading running specialty store in the area, further supported by their opening of a third Pacers store in Silver Spring, MD in August 2007.

In 2006, the Farley family was the recipient of the prestigious Arlington Chamber of Commerce Abby award recognizing Pacers as one of the best new businesses in Arlington County. In recognition of the Farley's commitment to their community, Pacers was recently recognized by the Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross as a leading Alexandria business-philanthropist. Just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, Pacers organized and sponsored the Gulf Coast Relief Run, an event that enjoyed over 4,000 participants and raised over $145,000 for gulf coast residents. Pacers also manages and sponsors the George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Mile and 5K, which in 2007 raised over $60,000 for the Alexandria Boys & Girls Club. The Farley family believes in the strength of local community, and are active supporters of various running clubs, nonprofits, races, and other events.

We are grateful for the reception we have received in our hometown of Arlington and the 16 years of support from our customers and neighbors in Old Town. Silver Spring has been an exciting move for us and we look forward to working with our newest community. We value the loyalty and trust you put in Pacers to provide you with the best shoes, apparel, accessories, and advice and thank you for your continued patronage.

Meet the Farley Family

Top: Chris Sr, Chris, Brian   Bottom: Adrian, Denise, John

Chris Sr. and Adrian Farley

Chris Sr. and Adrian were running before it became fashionable. Chris Sr. ran two JFK 50 Milers and several Marine Corps Marathons in the 1970s and 1980s. Adrian participated in several Bonnie Bell 10Ks in the 1980s, so it is no surprise that all four children--Brian, Chris, Denise, and John--grew up running. Chris Sr. recently retired from over 30 years of service to the Federal Government, and Adrian has just retired from her position with the Department of Energy Commission on alternative fuel sources. Chris Sr. serves as the accountant and president of Pacers and customers can often find Adrian working at the stores and serving as goodwill ambassador to the business.

Brian Farley

Brian ran at Yorktown HS in Arlington before going on to Miami (Ohio), where he ran for the club team. Brian has completed 16 marathons, including a personal record of 2:46 at the 2003 California International Marathon in Sacramento. Once a consultant for Accenture, Brian returned home in 2004 after stints in New York and Chicago to help his family open and manage the Arlington store. Brian now operates the Silver Spring location.

Chris Farley

After a stellar high school career at Yorktown, Chris went on to run on the varsity cross-country and track teams at the University of Virginia. Chris is a local elite distance runner, with a personal records of 2:31 at the 2003 California International Marathon and 1:09 at the 2004 Philadelphia Half-Marathon. Chris races for the Pacers/Brooks Racing Team and boasts several top finishes in large marathons, including a 6^th place finish and 9^th place finish at the 2002 Marine Corps Marathon and 2004 Marine Corps Marathon, respectively. Chris has worked at Pacers for almost a decade and now serves as the general manager of Pacers.

Denise Farley

Denise was a star runner at Yorktown HS, then moved on to Denison University for two years before transferring and continuing the Farley running legacy at the University of Virginia. Denise recently took up marathoning and posted an impressive 3:16 at the 2006 Chicago Marathon. An avid traveler, Denise spent a year living in Spain before joining her brothers and parents in the family business. Denise splits her time between both Virginia locations, and coordinates several events and training programs from the stores.

John Farley

John is a recent graduate from James Madison University and is now in a career relating to his Geography degree. He currently works at SAIC as a Geospatial Analyst. Like his sister, John is a world traveler and recently spent a semester at sea circling the globe. John recognizes the importance of his role in the global community, and frequently embarks on trips to various third-world countries to participate in community improvement projects. When back in the states, John can be found helping his family with the business on nights and weekends. A recreational runner, John enjoys training for local events with friends.

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