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Skip Brand

Start-up founder, media executive and now owner speciality running store

Skip Brand is the founder and owner of Healdsburg Running Company (HRC), a specialty running store in Healdsburg, California.12 He opened HRC in 2014 after moving to Healdsburg full-time from Silicon Valley, where he had previously worked in the tech industry.23

Background and Career

  • Originally from Red Bud, Illinois2
  • Earned a Ph.D. in computer science from Arizona State University23
  • Worked in Silicon Valley starting tech companies before transitioning to the running industry23
  • Began visiting Healdsburg around 2007 and fell in love with the area, particularly Lake Sonoma23

Contributions to the Running Community

  • Cultivated an active running community in Healdsburg and the surrounding area23
  • Organizes weekly group runs through HRC on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays23
  • Sponsors local races, including the annual Turkey Trot and Fitch Mountain Footrace23
  • Took over as race director for the Lake Sonoma 50 ultramarathon in 201823
  • Aims to make Healdsburg "the fittest small city in America"23

Notable Achievements

  • Grew HRC into a business with a cult following among local runners23
  • Works to promote diversity in ultrarunning, aiming for a 50% female participation rate in the Lake Sonoma 503
  • Supports local charities, including the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund through the Lake Sonoma 50 race3

Skip Brand's passion for running, community building, and promoting fitness has made him a significant figure in Healdsburg's local running scene and the broader ultrarunning community.

Related Questions

What inspired Skip Brand to start Healdsburg Running Company?
How has Skip Brand's background in computer science influenced his approach to running?
What are some unique initiatives that Healdsburg Running Company has implemented?
How has Skip Brand's leadership impacted the local running community in Healdsburg?
What challenges did Skip Brand face when starting HRC, and how did he overcome them?
Skip Brand
Skip Brand, photo 1
Skip Brand, photo 2
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Location

Burlingame, California, United States