Foot Loose Running Company Brings a New Stride to Ave Maria
Foot Loose Running Company, founded by Ave Maria residents John and Rachel Lanham, is hitting the ground running, literally, by transforming the local running scene in their hometown. With a playful nod to the iconic film Footloose, the company is dedicated to promoting physical fitness, friendly competition and community connection, starting with a summer series of 5K races.
For the Lanhams, running is a family affair. With three children ages 14, 5, and 3, they lead by example, encouraging an active lifestyle. Their 14-year-old daughter competes in cross-country and track at Donahue Academy, while the younger boys are just beginning to explore the sport.
John’s journey back to running began in 2010, after a health scare prompted his physician to suggest returning to the sport he loved in his college years. “It took about a year before I could actually run decently, and ever since then, I’ve been out there pounding the pavement,” he said. Today, he runs three to four miles at least five days a week.
Rachel and John Lanham.
Rachel, equally passionate and competitive, sees running as both a personal challenge and a way to connect with others. The couple’s shared enthusiasm even shaped their love story as they met at a race in 2017, got engaged at a race months later, and ran a 5K together on their wedding day.
Recognizing that local runners often had to travel an hour or more to Naples or Fort Myers for races, the Lanhams decided to bring the excitement closer to home. Ave Maria boasts 100 miles of scenic running and biking paths, making it the perfect backdrop for a thriving race scene.
Foot Loose Running Company officially debuted on June 14 with its first “No Pain No Gain Summer 5K,” followed by races in July and August. The events have drawn 90 participants from Ave Maria and beyond including Immokalee, Alva, Lehigh Acres, LaBelle, Naples and Fort Myers. “During the summer, we’re the only game in Southwest Florida,” John shared.
Looking ahead, Foot Loose Running Company plans to expand into a fall and winter series, aiming for nine races a year, all starting and finishing in the Ave Maria Town Center. For details, race registration or volunteer opportunities, visit FootLooseRunning.com