Readers want you to take a hike—in some boots from Environeers. The beloved outdoorsman store climbed to the top slot in this new category. But proving that gear for running on flat earth remains just as important to this Florida community, voters took Fit2Run across the finish line as first runner-up, with Fleet Feet Sports Sarasota as a close second-runner up. Economy Tackle Paddlesports and New Balance Sarasota pulled in the same number of votes and tied as third runners-up.—JO

 

Lee Byron (on Environeers): In the past, they did an excellent job with [helping me find] hiking boots, a hat for a trip to Galapagos and shirts. Consistently excellent. Brian Guidroz (on Fit2Run): Fit2Run gave me a good opportunity to meet people and an excellent opportunity to get together and run on Monday evenings in downtown Sarasota. When I first moved here, Fit2Run was my first outdoor outing with a group and it led me to meet a group of individuals with the same interests.