Haraka Run and Walk

Haraka Run and Walk We are Haraka Run and Walk, the first running shoe and apparel store in Prince George's County, Maryland. Follow us today!

Big news for the Haraka family — we're in The Baltimore Banner! 🎉The article looks at why Prince George's County needed ...
08/31/2026

Big news for the Haraka family — we're in The Baltimore Banner! 🎉
The article looks at why Prince George's County needed a running specialty store, and why Carol and I decided to be the ones to open it. Until this year, county runners had to drive nearly an hour to get properly fitted for shoes. Carol felt that gap growing up here before becoming a Naval Academy All-American and NCAA champion — and it's part of why Haraka exists today.
It's a great read on our Wednesday Trolley Trail walks, our partnership with the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, and what it's really like running a business (and occasionally NOT running together) as husband and wife.
Click through to read the whole story, and thank you to everyone in Hyattsville and beyond who's made this community what it is. ❤️
https://bit.ly/4gtD2yP

08/31/2026

So many PG County runners sign up for a race because a friend did one, or because a distance "sounds impressive" — then quit three weeks into training because it wasn't the right fit.
Here's what we tell folks who walk into Haraka asking "what should I sign up for?":
🏃 New to running? Start with a 5K.
🏃 A few months in? Try a 10K or 10-miler — the bridge distance most people skip.
🏃 Got a base built? A Half Marathon is where real training (and real community) kicks in.
🏃 Marathon, Triathlon, or Ironman? These are the reward for consistency, not the starting line.
The goal isn't to impress anyone. It's to pick a distance that makes you want to come back for the next one.
Not sure where you fall? Stop by the shop or drop a comment — we'll help you figure out your next smart step, no pressure, no upsell.

08/28/2026

Should you stick with one running shoe brand, or rotate?
Here's the honest answer: rotate. Your foot changes more than you think — mileage, body weight, even the shoe you wore the day before all shift how you move. But every brand only designs around one foot shape. So loyalty to a single brand can actually work against you over time.
Our advice: keep two shoes in the mix. One built for your everyday stride, one for recovery days. Simple system, better results.
Want to try a few brands side by side? Join us for the Wednesday Weekly Walk or the Fast Forward Friday run — both free, all paces welcome.
What brand have you stuck with for years? Tell us in the comments — happy to help you find its perfect pair.
At Haraka, we're fast forward.

08/25/2026

Real talk: the shoes your kid wore all summer are not ready for the season that's about to start.
Practices ramp up fast in the fall — but shoes don't ramp up with them. That mismatch (old cushioning, new mileage) is where a lot of early-season injuries actually come from. Not from training too hard. From training in the wrong shoe.
A few things worth checking before the first practice:
Tread worn smooth or uneven? Time for a new pair.
Don't guess the size — feet change more than people expect, especially for growing teens.
A real fitting (gait, arch, mileage goals) beats grabbing something off a shelf every time.
We're doing fittings all week for families getting back into the swing of the school year. Come by, or comment below and we'll set aside a time for you.

Back to school means back to busy — and busy is exactly why your semester needs a Run Club.Here's the challenge: get a g...
08/23/2026

Back to school means back to busy — and busy is exactly why your semester needs a Run Club.
Here's the challenge: get a group of classmates together, bring your club to Haraka Run and Walk, and set up a Run Club Night. Your club gets a special discount, and you get a reason to actually leave the dorm.
A few reasons this is worth your time: it's a built-in way to make friends, it clears your head after a long day of lectures, it helps you sleep better and focus harder in class, and it's a good excuse to explore the neighborhood around campus instead of just the library.
This is open to students at Maryland, Bowie State, PGCC, Howard, Coppin State, Georgetown, American, and GW. Comment below or send us a message to get your Run Club Night on the calendar.
Fast. Forward. — Haraka Run and Walk

Here's something most people get backwards: mornings aren't harder to run in. They're actually easier.Your cortisol and ...
08/21/2026

Here's something most people get backwards: mornings aren't harder to run in. They're actually easier.
Your cortisol and body clock are naturally tuned for movement in the early hours, which means steadier energy than forcing a run in after a full day of decisions. A morning run also finishes before the day can hand you an excuse — meetings, fatigue, plans that fall apart. And in summer especially, cooler temps and quieter streets make the whole thing more comfortable and safer.
If you've been telling yourself mornings aren't your thing, give it one week before you decide.
Want to try it with company instead of alone? Join us for Fast Forward Friday — a morning run for every pace, every Friday. Details and meet time in the comments.

🚶‍♀️ Wednesday Weekly Walk — TOMORROW, Aug 19! 🚶‍♂️This week's walk is stacked:👟 Saucony is joining us with shoes for yo...
08/18/2026

🚶‍♀️ Wednesday Weekly Walk — TOMORROW, Aug 19! 🚶‍♂️
This week's walk is stacked:
👟 Saucony is joining us with shoes for you to try out mid-walk — if you've been curious about a new pair, this is the time to test them on real miles, not just the sidewalk outside the store.
💜 Visiting Angels will also be with us, sharing info on their team for the Walk to End Alzheimer's — Sept. 19 at National Harbor, benefiting the Alzheimer's Association. Come learn how to join their team or support the cause.
Same Haraka energy: welcoming pace, good company, and a reason to move in the middle of your week.
📍 Haraka Run and Walk, 5501 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 106, Hyattsville, MD
🕐7 p.m.
See you out there. Fast. Forward. 💙

08/17/2026

Ever notice your evening runs just feel easier than your morning ones? That's not in your head.
Body temperature, lung efficiency, and muscle strength all rise through the day — which means the workout you almost skipped after work might actually be your best one. Evening exercisers also tend to stick with it longer, because it's competing with a finished workday instead of your alarm clock.
If you've been telling yourself mornings are the "right" way to train, they're not — for a lot of people, evenings are just better.
Want to try it with company instead of solo? Join us for the Wednesday Weekly Walk — every Wednesday evening, all paces welcome, no experience needed. Details and time in the comments.

08/16/2026

Planning your first out-of-town race? 🏁
Whether it's a destination half marathon or a weekend 5K a few hours away, traveling for a race adds a layer new runners don't always think about — from packing right to getting yourself home safely when you're running on empty.
Our team put together 5 things every beginner should know before their first travel race. Swipe through, save it, and share it with a running buddy who's got a race trip coming up!
Questions about race travel? Drop them below or stop by the shop — we love talking through race weekend logistics. 👟

08/12/2026

If your first 5K is coming up, here's what we wish someone had told us
before ours. Swipe through the album — and tag your training partner who
needs to see this before race morning.

Fast. Forward. 🏃🏾‍♀️

Address

5501 Baltimore Avenue Suite 106
Hyattsville, MD
20781

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 11am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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