Donna Archambault

Coastal Run owner Donna Archambault has been a runner for a long time! She switched gears 13 years ago from business management to serving the running community.

How long have you been a runner?
41 years! Yikes I’m getting old! I fell in love with running as a young child, always being obsessed with racing my friends and watching the Olympics. I wanted to be an Olympic runner when I grew up, lol. In middle school we had to do the mile run in gym, EVERYBODY in my class complained about it and dreaded it, but I secretly LOVED it! That’s when I was hooked; I knew I would be running for the rest of my life.

What’s a typical week of running for you?
My weeks vary depending on time availability, but I need to do some sort of outdoor run or walk every day. Usually about 45 minutes will set my mental health straight.

Do you enjoy other fitness activities?
Yes! I also love strength training because it feels so good to feel “strong,” and it’s so important as we age to keep our muscles and bones strong and support our joints. And I love yoga, too, when I can squeeze it in.

Do you have a favorite race distance? 
10 milers, I always feel pretty decent through mile 10!

You founded Coastal Run (then St. Michael’s Running Company) in 2021. What led to you opening the store?
In 2020, my husband and I sold our Healthcare Management Consulting Business after 13 years. I had managed finance in the company and decided that my next venture would need to fulfill my desire to help people and give back to the community as well as be something that I love to do. After dealing with the pandemic stress of 2019-2020, I realized that my enthusiasm for exercise as a means to manage stress and boost health was infectious and might be able to help others feel better too, thus SMRC was born. From the beginning, my main goal was to provide a community to people who enjoy movement and fitness. I was hoping to be a gathering place for folks looking for the comradery of others who felt the same. Originally, I thought I would be able to run the store, coordinate yoga classes, do personal training as well as run/walk groups, educational offerings and 5K’s for charity. Jumping in headfirst and knowing absolutely NOTHING about retail (except what Google and some library books told me), I quickly learned that was not realistic. However, I am happy to say that the dream of building friendship around fitness did manifest as we now have a solid group participating in our Coastal Run Crew. Meeting several times each week to run, walk and even play racquet ball, pickleball and basketball together, we have become close friends who can sometimes even be found competing on local trivia teams or enjoying the original, Walk & Wine nights at the St. Michaels store.

Coastal Run has now expanded to 4 locations – St. Michaels, Easton, Kent Island and the state of Maine. What’s the story of your growth? (Do you work at all 3?) 
So I really have to give credit to my husband, Shawn, and my son, Rick, for the expansions. Shawn kept reminding me that growth was healthy and that expansion should be a goal; but, despite my desire, I was hesitant and not really sure how to chart the path. That’s when Rick said he’d like to come on board to champion the growth. It wasn’t easy, but he had a vision and helped to define the steps as well as roll up his sleeves and make it happen. From late nights putting fixtures and shelves together, to early morning stock metrics meetings and budgeting sessions, he has been instrumental in moving us from small boutique to a brand. I am excited to say that all 4 of my kids have been part of our success. My oldest, Alexandra, opened the Maine store and is using her project management skills to help us get organized. My 2^nd, Becca, is our creative driver. Although she has a full time job outside of Coastal Run, she designs our logos and pitches in to help her partner, Jay, at the St  Mike’s store when it’s busy. Adam, my youngest, graduated college this year and has come on board to help facilitate Events, Marketing and On-line Store. We are excited to add these to our business plan. In any given week you can find me, Rick, Adam (& sometimes Shawn) working any of the Maryland stores. But don’t worry, when we are not there, you will be in good hands with Kathryn Gearhart, Jay Bowen or Annie Plumley.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself. 
I grew up in Baltimore and then lived outside of Philadelphia for 21 years with Shawn & my kids. We moved to the Eastern Shore in 2016 to be closer to Shawn’s family and fell in love with its peacefulness and beauty. Beyond fitness, I enjoy reading, traveling, gardening & cooking. I love pets and have currently contained myself to only two dogs and one cat.