Since 1985 Complete Runner has served runners, walkers, and fitness fanatics of all walks of life in Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is enthusiastic about fitness and will help in your search for the perfect athletic shoes, apparel, nutritional items, and equipment to meet your specific needs. We keep current with the latest developments in running shoe technology and cutting edge apparel to offer our customers the coolest gear from the most trusted brands in the market. Stop by our beautiful running store in Flint today and see why we are your number one resource for all your running, walking, and fitness needs.
Store History and Running Background of Curtis Thompson, Owner
Curtis Thompson grew up in North Carolina and started running track in junior high. He decided to give baseball a try in ninth grade and his quickness helped him become an amazing base stealer, even allowing him to hit a few rare inside-the-park home runs. It didn’t take long for Curtis to realize where he best fit in so he quit baseball to run track, which was extremely popular in the south at that time.
Curtis started out in the mile and made it to state his first year on the team, finishing in the top three. In eleventh grade he made it to state in three events, claiming the title in two relays and finishing second in the 880 yard dash. He saved the best for last, completing his senior year with a bang and three state championships under his belt, winning the open 880 and a member of the winning sprint medley and mile relay teams. Curtis ran his fastest 880 yards in 1:53 which ranked him nationally.
After being offered several scholarships, Curtis decided to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University where he ran cross country, indoor track, and track and field for four years. He was part of an outstanding team with many nationally ranked athletes and recalls running in events such as the Penn Relays, Villanova Invitational, and the Newark indoor races.
After college Curtis moved to Flint to work for AC Spark Plug as an engineer. Frequently traveling across the country for his job allowed him to visit many running stores and keep on top of the latest technology in shoes, apparel, and equipment.
Known by three of his co-workers for running shorter distances in college, one year these seasoned runners dared Curtis to run a local 10K Mother’s Day Race with them at Bluebell Beach. Confident that he wouldn’t be able to handle the extra distance his co-workers were surprised to find him finish ahead of them! This motivated Curtis to begin regularly competing in 10K events and soon upped the mileage to qualify for the Boston and Marine Corps Marathons, which he did several times. He has raced all over the country and was once named one of the top ten marathoners in Michigan, and has run in all but two Crim Festival of Races.
Curtis’ vast background and love for running, along with his travels to running stores across the nation, gave him a vision to open a running, walking, and fitness store in Flint that offered the best and most technologically advanced products to help people reach their fitness goals. This vision was fulfilled in 1985 when Complete Runner opened its doors.
Community Partnerships
Complete Runner is active in a variety of road races, community partnerships, schools, and organizations in the Flint and Genesee County areas including:
- Crim Fitness Foundation
- Pot O’ Gold Four Mile Run/Walk
- Burton Memorial Day 5K Road Race
- Parcel for the Park
- Run for Roots
- Run4Wine
- Applewood Walk
- Old Newsboys
- Concerned Pastors of Social Action
- Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation
- Flint Parks and Recreation
- Bendle Kids Running Group (ABC 12 Article)
- Flint International Academy Running
