Runner’s Soul was established in 1994 and has been an integral part of the running community in Lethbridge ever since. We are proud members of the Independent Running Retailers of Canada (IRRC) and continue to work hard to build and unite the running community in Lethbridge and southern Alberta.
Shawn Pinder
Co-Owner
Coming from a competitive swimming background, Shawn started running as he began competing in triathlons in 2000. Since that time Shawn has competed in numerous triathlons and running events. When Ron Bain presented Shawn and wife Erin with the opportunity to take over the operation of Runner’s Soul in 2007 the two jumped at the opportunity to make their hobby a career.
Erin Pinder
Co-Owner
A long time runner and triathlete, Erin’s journey with Runner’s Soul began when she joined the Runners Soul Marathon Club in 1998 and was recruited by founder Ron Bain to join the Soul staff. It was a “perfect fit” and led her to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Little did she know she would return to her roots at the store where she feels lucky to do what she loves every day!
Erin has participated in various running and multisport events, including marathons, ironman triathlons, and multi day adventure races.
Ron Bain
Founder
Ron was a couple year’s away from turning 40 when a a mid-life crisis took hold. What started out as a run around the block turned into a desire to run the annual Moonlight Run. From nervously standing at the start line for the 6K in the Moonlight, Ron progressed to the marathon distance and then the Ironman in Penticton. His early adventures in racing became the foundation for him to open Runner’s Soul a little over two years after his first run around the block! Since that time Ron has competed in a number of marathons (including the 100th anniversary of the Boston Marathon), Ironman races, Ultramarathons and even dabbled in Adventure racing.
Brandon Regier
Brandon started his running career about 10 years ago. He started with 5 K’s and before he knew it, found himself tackling bigger and tougher races. His entire running journey started from the iconic Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache, AB. This was the race that taught him the value of hard work, commitment, and dedication…it is where it all started for him and is that one race a year that is non negotiable! He started running on a relay team and before he knew it he was running the 125 K solo, now having finished it multiple times in a row. His passion is trail ultrarunning, sticking around Western Canada to race the past 7 years has him now advancing closer to his dream races. Brandon qualified for UTMB with hopes of travelling to Chamonix, France within the next couple years and has some major interests in racing the Moab 240 very soon.
Ralph Arnold
Ralph started running in 1975 during the first running boom. He took a long period off until he started dating his wife Fran in the early 90s and started running 10Ks and then marathons. Ralph has run numerous marathons, including Boston twice, several ultras including the Lost Soul and the Knee Knacker in Vancouver. He has competed in triathlons including the Pentiction Ironman twice. Lately trail running in Waterton has become a regular pastime with Fran and Kevin McFadzen.
Shilo Aspinall
Shilo’s love for running did not come until her first year of university. After playing basketball and volleyball for most of her life, she wanted a new challenge. Her first race was the Raymond Triathlon and since then she’s completed 2 marathons, a dozen half marathons, several 10-5ks, and a handful of triathlons. She completed her degree in Neuroscience and now works for a non-profit organization that creates programs for individuals affected by traumatic brain injuries. Eventually, Shilo hopes to tackle either an ultramarathon or an Ironman.
Mary Lee Voort
Mary Lee Voort ran her first race, the LCC/U of L 10-miler, in 1977 on a whim, with no training and in her friend’s little brother’s sneakers. She couldn’t walk down stairs forwards for 3 days after that but she was hooked! Mary Lee went on to complete 24 more Lethbridge 10-milers, all 29 Moonlight Runs (looking forward to 30 this year!), 5 marathons, and 14 3/4 ultramarathons, as well as countless 5 K’s, 10 K’s, and half marathons. Although now officially retired from running after 35 years, she can still walk at a pretty good clip, and has enjoyed encouraging runners at Runner’s Soul to try new distances for the past ten years. In her other life, Mary Lee is a classical pianist, and spends her time teaching, accompanying, playing with the Lethbridge Symphony, and is organist at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church.
Drew Sutherland
Drew has been running for 6 years now. He first picked up running because he watched his wife run a half marathon and thought that it seemed like something fun they could do together. Drew has always looked for a challenge in life and his running journey started with trying a half marathon in Calgary. Having enjoyed that distance he moved on to a Marathon. One thing led to another and he progressed to increasingly challenging distances. Drew has now run in the Lost Soul Ultramarathon each of the last 4 years, completing the 100 km race and the 100 mile event multiple times. He is fueled by his passion to become a better person through running.
Sydney Graves
Sydney grew up competing in many sports, you name it she’s probably done it. She discovered her love of running when she was 15 and raced in cross-country and track throughout high school. Her high school experienc presented a few different opportunities for her including running for the Lethbridge College Kodiak cross-country and track teams. Sydney was even a member of the Kodiak’s in 2019 when they brought home the cross-country national title! She continued to run for the Kodiak team until the spring of 2022, and is now branching out into other races. Sydney is currently studying exercise science at Lethbridge College.
Megan Mertz
Megan started swimming in 2008 and is currently competing at the varsity level in Lethbridge. Her best races are the shorter distances such as 50 meter backstroke and 50 meter butterfly and she hopes to compete for many years to come. Megan also competed in cross country from 2015 until 2021 and has hopes to resume running, specifically trail running, in the future. She is currently at the University of Lethbridge completing a degree in environmental sciences.
STORE HOURS
Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 5:30pm
Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday: 10am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm