Call (479) 434-3571 or visit 6808 Rogers Ave. Suite B in Fort Smith, AR

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About Us

About Us

Our Mission

True Grit Running Company (TGRC) seeks to passionately promote a healthy and active lifestyle in Fort Smith and the River Valley area.

Our Vision

We aim to create an exceptional retail experience by providing excellent customer care and product knowledge, and by building strong relationships within our community.

Our Core Values - Why We SLEIGH

We are:

Self-Motivated

Loyal

Engaging

We have:

Integrity

Grit

We aim to be:

Helpful

The True Grit Fit

Known for being the first in our running community to offer a 3D foot scanning service, we aim to help customers find their stride. 

Our trained staff will direct you to step on our Albert® 2 Pro Aetrex Scanner, where we’ll learn about your feet, including:

  • Arches
  • Pressure points
  • Any foot pain you might be experiencing

During this process, we’ll ask you questions about yourself to help us determine your True Grit Fit. We’ll have you try on our favorite recovery slides while we talk about your scan results. Then, we’ll do our best to match you with the right shoes and inserts for you.

S.O.I.R.A.N. - Taking your fit the extra mile

Many of our customers are happy with a high-quality pair of shoes. With S.O.I.R.A.N., we aim to provide next-level support to our customers. This includes:

Socks

Oofos

Insoles

Recovery

Apparel

Nutrition

Our History

Melissa Vitale, founder and owner, became a runner as an adult when she sought to make changes in her lifestyle. Running, it turned out, would end up changing her profoundly in mind, body, and spirit.

She discovered a passion for sharing her joy of living an active, healthy lifestyle with everyone. Thus, the dream to open her own running specialty store was born.

2017

Melissa opens True Grit Running Co., LLC at 401 Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas. TGRC becomes the first business to offer a gait analysis in the Fort Smith area.

She and her staff quickly outgrow the space.

2018

April 2. Melissa and her team celebrate the store's grand opening at their new location: 6808 Rogers Avenue (Suite B).

2020

Team True Grit finds itself pivoting to face new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite obstacles, the store continues to grow and serve runners in its community.

2021

TGRC becomes the first in the area to provide a 3D fit experience with the Albert 2 Pro Aetrex Scanner.

Today

Team True Grit is hard at work, making connections with the running community and showing up for race day (whether as sponsors, participants, or passing out water bottles as contestants run by).