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FAQs

Have a question? Check out our FAQs below for helpful information regarding order status, shipping, returns, and more. Can't find what you are looking for? Contact us here.

Retail

Does Pacers offer technical advice or custom fittings?

Yes. Knowing what shoe will be best for you can be determined by having you meet with one of our Fit Specialists in person at one of our five locations in DC and Northern Virginia. All fittings are free. For in person store fittings, no appointment is necessary.

Does Pacers Running offer Gift Cards for purchase?

Yes. A Pacers Gift Card is the perfect gift! We offer Gift Cards in a variety of denominations and the online process is easy (you can also purchase in person at any Pacers location.) Follow this link. Select the amount, and click on "Send a Gift Card". Provide the name, email address, date to deliver, and your special note for your recipient, and as you complete the purchase, you will receive a receipt and your recipient will be sent the Gift Card code and message.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

Order times depend on when your order is placed and how far away you live from Washington DC.  Orders received before 3PM on Friday usually arrive within 3-4 business days. Please note that these shipping timelines are only an estimate and that once an order leaves our stores, there may be carrier delays beyond our control. Additionally, we are not always able to make address changes after an order is placed, so please be sure your shipping address is correct before placing your order.

Can I make changes to an online order once it has been placed?

Orders being sourced from our local stores and warehouses have a small window of time for edits to order information. We fulfill some orders from our Amazon inventory. These orders are immediately in process and not often able to be updated pre-shipping. Reaching out as quickly as possible to support@runpacers.com is important in the case that any order details need to be edited.

Can I cancel an online order I've just placed?

As with changes to an order, this is dependent on the source of the fulfillment. Reaching out as quickly as possible to support@runpacers.com is important in the case that an order may need to be canceled.

Can I arrange delivery for shipping outside of the United States?

No. We are sorry for this disappointment, for many reasons we are not able to sell merchandise with delivery to shipping addresses outside of the United States.

Can I receive a shipping discount when shopping online with Pacers Running?

Yes. We offer free shipping within the US for orders over $100.

How can I track my order?

Once an order has been placed you should expect to receive TWO emails. First, a confirmation email that your order has been processed and second, an email that your order has been shipped with tracking information. If you have not received any tracking information after 3 days of placing your order please email us at support@runpacers.com 

Can I exchange or return items I've purchased at Pacers Running?

Yes. If a purchase doesn't work out for you, our full policy is presented HERE.   Items purchased in one of our retail stores OR online can be exchanged or returned in person at any store.  They also can be returned by initiating an online return through our automated online return system. Briefly, we gladly accept returns according to the following guidelines:   Returns can be made within 30 days of purchase. Refunds are issued back to the original form of payment, orders placed with store credit can only be refunded in store credit, gift card purchases will have amounts re-applied to a GC. Shipping costs are non-refundable, returns for custmer choice will incur a $12 shipping cost.  https://runpacers.loopreturns.com/#/ Regarding "Sale" items, items purchased with coupons are not considered sale items for the purposes of returns, so are able to be exchanged-returned per our posted regular policies.  Sale/closeout items which are not eligible are the old model, warehouse blowout type styles which are 'final sale' and non returnable.   If your item is damaged and your purchase date falls outside our standard return window, then please contact shoponline@runpacers.com and we’ll be happy to serve you.

Can I exchange or return items purchased from Pacers Running that I've received as a gift?

Yes. Visit our Returns Center and click the ‘Returning a gift’ link below the email entry box. After entering your email address and order information, you’ll be guided through the exchange process and receive step-by-step instructions, a return shipping label, and an order confirmation for your new replacement order.

Can I make a return of a Pacers Amazon ordered purchase?

Yes. Pacers Amazon policy allows returns within 30 days of purchase. You can implement this process using the automated return system by following these steps: 1) Go to "Your Orders" and select "Return" beside the item you want to return. 2) Select a reason code. 3) Once Amazon authorizes your return request, a return label will be made available for you to print and use to send back your item. 4) Once the product returns to the fulfillment center you will be provided a full refund issued back to the original form of payment.

How do I start a return or exchange?

** Items purchased in one of our retail stores OR online can be exchanged or returned in person at any store.  They also can be returned by initiating an online return through our automated online return system. Please visit our Returns Center and simply enter the email address associated with your purchase, or your order number and shipping address zip code to initiate the return. For exchanges, follow the steps outlined above and select your new item for exchange.

Note - Returns made through our online portal require a $12 fee. Exchanges and in-store returns are free.

Can I locate an exchange-return shipping label?

Yes. Exchanges and Returns initiated through our Returns Center will receive step-by-step instructions and a return shipping label sent to the provided email.

Is a packing slip required for an online exchange-return?

No. A packing slip is helpful but not required, as long as your returned product has its original tags intact and you use the return shipping label we provide to you.

Do I need to return the product in its original Item packaging?

Yes please. Returned merchandise must have the original packaging still intact and undamaged. Shoes must be in their original shoe box. Please do not use the shoe box as the package itself and instead put it in the poly mailer you received or a new package.

Do I need to return the product in its original Shipping packaging?

If possible, please ship your return in its original eco-friendly packaging to protect it from damages during transit. If you no longer have the original packaging, it’s not a problem. Please ship your return in your own packaging or materials provided by your local courier. For shoes, original packaging is required. Do not use the shoe box as the package and instead put it in the poly mailer you received or a new package.

Do I need to wait long for an exchange item to be received?

No. Exchanges are shipped immediately - even before the original order items are received back.

What happens if I receive the wrong product in an order?

Please immediately reach out to us at support@runpacers.com providing as much detail as possible on your original order number, and the specifics on what item is not correct. The support team will work with you to determine if the originally intended item or an acceptable alternative are available and the best action to take for your order to be satisfied.

What do I do when an online shows as Delivered but I didn't receive it?

If our shipper records indicate that the order was delivered to the provided address and the package hasn’t turned up at the indicated location, we recommend checking with a nearby neighbor or in a discrete location to see if the carrier may have tucked it out of the way. Please note, however, that sometimes, the carrier marks the package as delivered before it has actually arrived. If these efforts do not produce the package, please reach back to us at support@runpacers.com and we will work with you to determine options based on the items originally ordered.

What is Pacers customer data privacy policy?

For all of our transaction processes, our full Privacy Policy details can be reviewed here.

General

Does Pacers Running support community non-profits?

Yes. Selective opportunities exist in response to the many requests from community activities. Pacers evaluates non-profit proposals relative to the Pacers Mission and may offer retail or race products as appropriate to those that align. To receive consideration reach out to support@runpacers.com providing a customized detailed description of the project, the request, and the anticipated fit for Pacers.

Can I advertise my own group's events/activities through Pacers?

Yes. Pacers retail locations have a spot in each store for displaying posters, flyers, cards, promoting community activities that relate to Pacers Mission (running, fitness, and the like). These items can be dropped off or postal mailed to each location attn: Store manager. Pacers does not currently list third party events or initiatives on its website.

Does Pacers accept used running shoes for recycle?

Yes. All of our retail locations accept used/cleaned running shoes for recycle which are collected by a group who forwards on to needing populations.

I have a question about Relay Goods.

Relay is a re-commerce ecommerce site that sells 99% new shoes at affordable prices. Relay has an affiliation with Pacers but is its own standalone company and operated separately. For any Relay questions, please visit their site at relaygoods.com

How do I apply to become an employee of Pacers?

Details on Pacers employment requirements and a link to an employment application can be found here.

Events

Do I need to do anything before race day to participate?

Yes - Participants are required to collect a race bib/packet in advance of race day and to know the course logistics. Be sure to check the race-specific information on course routes and race-day logistics. Opportunities for collecting a race packet vary, be sure to check the race-specific information on Locations, Dates, Times, any restrictions.

Are there time limits for participating in Pacers Events?

Yes - Race Time Limits in general are set as based on a 15 minute per mile pace. Each race's main web page will have specific course limits posted.

Do Pacers Races offer any commemorative gifts to registrants?

Yes - A race gift item selection can be made during registration and edited if need be. Gift items will be distributed at Packet Pickup as selected in registration. Retail Bucks will be direct-emailed. EXCHANGES of Gift item if needed that were not completed in advance can be made in person on site on race day.

Are Photos of races and runner provided?

Yes - Photos are provided for free post-race by SwimBikeRun Photography with links on each race's main web page.

Can I find results for Pacers Events?

Yes - Results Information – is posted electronically on race day at the links provided in the race- specific information. Archived race results links can be found on each race's main web page.

Are there awards offered for competitive runners?

Yes - Awards categories and the distribution process will be described in each race's specific information.

Do Pacers Running competitive events offer broader then traditional gender scoring categories?

Yes - For purposes of timing-results-scoring-awards, Pacers races offer categories as Male, Female, NonBinary, and None. The awards relationship to these categories is detailed in each race's main web page.

Do Pacers events offer military and first responder entry discounts?

Yes - Pacers Running is pleased to offer direct Military and First Responder entry cost discounts to all races as described in the race-specific information.

Do Pacers events offer Elite Runner entry accommodations?

Yes - Elite-Pro Runners - As posted in the respective races, Pacers may offer Elite-Pro courtesy entries on a limited opportunity in each race for runners meeting the qualification time guidelines. Reach out to events@runpacers.com

Do Pacers events welcome Specially Abled participants?

Yes. AWD as Solo and Duo Participants - All Pacers races welcome AWD athletes as Solo or Duo and offer special accommodations as requested. Reach out to events@runpacers.com

Do Pacers races allow stroller and dogs?

Yes. Running With a Dog - is permitted at all Pacers races per the race-specific instructions. Running With a Stroller - is permitted at all Pacers races per the race- specific instructions.

Can I get a copy of my registration and if I need, make changes to a Pacers events race entry?

Yes. You can access your portal/profile and make changes in your race-specific choices and responses through the dates available for the specific race. Your first-ever registrations create a PORTAL/PROFILE. You can search for your race entries through these links and reach out to events@runpacers.com if help is needed. RunSignup Personal Profile

Can I redeem a race entry from a prior year event in the current year?

Yes. If the original entry was deferred as required within each events published procedures, an invitation will be sent by email including a Defer Redeem entry code and instructions on how to create an entry in the current year. If you have missed that email, please reach out to events@runpacers.com for help.

If I can't race, do I have options for my purchased entry?

Yes. - In general all Pacers races apply a No Refund Policy. Exceptions, options and timelines are provided in race-specific information. Pacers Events also offers an NQA – No Question Asked Refund Ticket - which can be purchased only at the time of registration and if needed, can be redeemed up through the day prior to the respective race. Connect with events@runpacers.com for redemption.

Can I make a R2R entry Transfer, Switch events, Defer my entry to next year's event?

Yes. - Transfers from Runner to Runner, Switches of event within a race, and Deferrals – can be made through the specified dates for each race by accessing your race's portal/profile.

What happens if Pacers needs to cancel an event for any reason?

While we are optimistic that the need will not arise, in the case that Pacers chooses to cancel an event through an abundance of caution for athletes, staff, and spectators, a plan of action for options to receive commensurate values for paid race entries will be crafted and communicated in all haste. The plan may require choice responses from registered active status participants, so please be aware of potential incoming direct email, updates via our main website, registration site, and our social media platforms with information on how to respond.

Do Pacers events offer coaching for preparation?

Occasionally a coaching/training program will fit into a Pacers Running event profile as an event-calendar-driven opportunity. If/When specific race-training opportunities are put into place they will be announced in our media and marketing programs and posted on the respective race information pages. Aside from event related, Pacers does not offer training but Pacers Social Runs do provide support for new runners and frequently target specific race participation in their workout planning. Details on Social Runs can be found here.