About 20 runners gathered at Humphrey’s in downtown Huntsville eight years ago for what was informally known as a pub run. A lot has changed since then. But eight years later, the weekly Huntsville Pub Run still is going strong.
Carrie Wilson Hawkins started the pub run after seeing a similar one in Washington and needing a midweek training boost. Little did the group here know that it sparked a movement. The Huntsville Pub Run celebrates its 8th anniversary tonight at Back Forty Beer Company on Leeman Ferry Road. It starts at 5:30, with 3- and 5-mile routes north to Joe Davis Stadium and back to the brewery.
The first one was on Nov. 2, 2016, and since then 392 have been put on. It doesn’t cost anything to jump into a pub run. They’re free, held each Wednesday evening. Rain or shine, heat or cold, the pub runners dash around city streets each week on 3- and 5-mile outings. Some run like rabbits, others have an easier pace. Some walk and talk, enjoying the visit. All are welcome, and personal illumination is recommended.
How It Started
Fourteen years ago, Hawkins was visiting a friend in Spokane and learned about a pub run there that started with 5-6 people. The Flying Irish Running Club, under the We Run Spokane umbrella, put on the events. That small group grew to a large group that met weekly, ran a bit and then visited, had a brew or snack, went home or combo of all that.
“I immediately thought, “How fun!” I knew Huntsville had to bring something like that,” Hawkins told TVO. “It wasn’t until 2016 that I was training for a marathon and thought, “I need a Wednesday night longer run. It’s time to start that pub run!” Most weeks I would leave my job at Redstone Arsenal a little early on Wednesday and run for an hour before meeting the pub runners for more miles. It’s unbelievable that the pub run still meets on the same day and time eight years later; from 20 people to nearly 200!”
The last two weeks’ pub runs have been holiday themed, with one at Launch Pad 39B at Hampton Inn (by the VBC) featuring inflatable costumes. The night before Halloween saw a gaggle of more costumed runners. Not everyone dressed up, of course. Part of the fun of the pub runs is you’re cool to be comfortable. Both of these pub runs attracted about 180 runners. One in February at Back Forty on a chilly night saw 140 turn out.
Hawkins is not surprised the pub runs have continued, given how fun they are along with the area’s vibrant running scene. After she got pregnant in spring 2017, Hawkins passed the torch to current pub run organizers Jeff and Gerri Plain. Her daughter, Sperry, was born in November 2017 and is considered the first pub runner baby, “and of course, she has a Huntsville Pub Runners hoodie that she wears proudly.”
“The first pub run was at Humphrey’s and we had a super fun group of about 20 people. Many of those runners still attend the weekly pub runs,” Hawkins said. “Some started dating and have even gotten married. There is no doubt that countless friendships have been formed, and I don’t see that winding down anytime soon!
“I knew the pub run in Spokane occurred at the same Irish pub each week, but with so many “pubs” popping up in the downtown (Huntsville) area, we decided to move around each week to explore and support a new venue. This was such a great decision, as we were able to try new food and drink each week and have a plethora of different running routes. Jeff and Gerri clearly have done an outstanding job of growing the pub run into what it is today. Jeff always knows the latest and greatest venues to hit the pub scene, and you can bet the Huntsville Pub Runners will be visiting those.”
Pub Run Future
The Plains don’t have any plans, at least that anyone knows, to pass the torch on the runs. They’re still going strong each week with routes and fun events. No doubt, around Thanksgiving we’ll probably see a few turkey costumes on a run. During Christmas, the route usually goes through some holiday-themed streets with lights, candy canes, trees and more.
“I think maybe we’ve had about 25 cancellations in eight years, and 11 of those were for covid,” Plain said recently. “So, maybe 15 others for the weather? That’s not too bad in eight years. We’ve had a lot of fun with it.”
Runners and walkers have come from Madison, Decatur and other outlying areas. Others have joined when in town for work or visiting family, and at holidays. It’s not uncommon to see a Facebook post with “I’m in town working for the week. Where can I run with a group?” and responses including the Wednesday pub run.
“We really want to be inclusive, open and have everyone feel welcome when they are with us,” Gerri Plain said. “That’s important, because you don’t want to be somewhere that you don’t feel welcome. We want those who join us to think, “Hey, these are my people” and to have a good time.”
MAIN PHOTO: Runners at one of the first Huntsville Pub Run events, at the Below the Radar Brewhouse on Holmes Avenue. The pub is now closed, but the pub runs live on eight years later. (Photo by Carrie Wilson Hawkins).
