Fleet Feet Chicago, Momentum and the Runner's Edge have made the list of the Running Network's 50 Best Running Stores in America.

The 50 Best Running Stores were selected after a year of research and reporting that included feedback from more than 1,000 consumers and input from a team of store "raters" from the Franklin Resource Group, the sports industry's leading in-store merchandising company.

"Other magazines have published top store lists, but they didn't appear to put much thought into the process," said Mark Sullivan, editor of Footwear Intelligence. "We invested a great deal of time, money and collaborative thinking into the 50 Best promotion and believe it will show in the end product."

Consumers and running industry executives nominated stores for consideration. Once a store was nominated, a Franklin Resource Group representative visited the store as a mystery shopper and purchased a pair of shoes. Stores were then ranked on 20 aspects of the visit, from a prompt greeting to being thanked for the purchase.

Stores were also rated on product knowledge, environment and community involvement. More than 200 stores were evaluated.

The 50 Best Running Stores were honored Nov. 13 by the Running Network and Footwear Intelligence at an awards ceremony during the Running Event in Austin Texas.

Expect a special full report in the January issue of Chicago Athlete and other Running Network publications.