Jayne Aspan founded The Runner's Soul as a way to fulfill her long standing desire to bring an independent, locally owned running store to her hometown community of Elmhurst. Jayne took up running later in life as a way to get back in shape after having her first child and quickly became hooked for life. In 1996, as an inaugural member of the Elmhurst Running Club, Jayne found a community of like-minded runners yet realized that Elmhurst did not have a running store despite having a nationally recognized running program at York High School. Jayne's passion, hard work and determination allowed her to successfully launch The Runner's Soul in 2004.
Jayne has personally completed marathons, half marathons, triathlons and many other road races and has even qualified for the Boston Marathon multiple times.
As owner of The Runner's Soul, Jayne has supported dozens and dozens of charities and non-profit organizations through sponsorships and donations including: York Athletic Boosters, Annie Ryan Foundation / Lutheran General Hospital, American Cancer Society, Anti-Hunger Society, Elmhurst Running Club, Elmhurst School District 205, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Y Me Foundation, Easter Seals, Best Buddies, Oak Brook Park District, Yorkfield Presbyterian Church Food Drive, Immaculate Conception High School, Zumbathon for Autism - Villa Park, Elmhurst College, Salt Creek Triathlon Club, PTA, Elmhurst Junior Women's Club, Young Hearts for Life, Elmhurst Afternoon Women's Club, Center for Speech and Language Disorders, PRIDE, Lauren Kiefer Foundation, Cub Scouts of America, Elmhurst Newcomers and Neighbors Club, Villa Park Junior Women's Club, St. Alexander School, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Girls on the Run - Hinsdale, Share Your Soles, the Winged Foot Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and One Small Voice.
Jayne is a long time resident of Elmhurst where she lives with her husband and two children and is very active in the community. She is a member of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and the Independent Running Store Association.