History
Doug Alred, owner and founder of 1st Place Sports, was inspired to become a runner when he learned of a new race about to make its debut: The River Run 15,000. He was a rather out-of-shape certified public accountant at the time but after completing that 1978 race he never looked back. He ran in every race he could find, joined the young Jacksonville Track Club, became one of its board members (where he has remained ever since) and in 1978 opened a running store that he named 1st Place Sports. In order to help promote his new store he began organizing races. In 1982 he was injured and he knew he would be unable to run in the 1983 River Run, so he offered to be its race director. The race was such a success that other races came to him for advice and direction. Since then Alred has become one of the most active race directors in the country, conducting more than 50 races a year, and now owns four 1st Place Sports Stores in and around Jacksonville!
Specialties
1st Place Sports is proud to be recognized as Jacksonville's running and walking headquarters and one of the top running stores in the nation.