If you can’t find a group to run with in Huntsville, you’re not looking hard enough. One of the biggest and most consistent, the Pub Run, gathers each Wednesday for a short jaunt and fun times.
The runs are put on by Jeff and Gerri Plain with We Run Downtown Huntsville. It’s an offshoot of We Run Huntsville. After seven years — seven! — and 341 runs, they’re still going strong. About 100 runners met Nov. 1 for the anniversary event at the Yellowhammer Craft Beer Garden at Joe Davis Stadium.
Informal? Yes. Some folks run, some saunter a bit, some walk for the 3- or 5-mile routes. Once done, some folks go home, some stick around to eat, drink and talk. The events are at 5:30 p.m. each week at a local pub or restaurant, such as Green Bus Brewing, Big Ed’s Pizza, Yellowhammer, The Nook or other sites.
“We’ve had discussions over the years about moving the time but everyone seems to like the 5:30 slot,” Jeff Plain told TVO recently. “People can get off work, come run and then go home, do something else or hang around to visit, eat or drink something. It’s pretty laid back. Everyone knows the general routine.”
After the run at Yellowhammer on Wednesday, everyone enjoyed the Plain’s white chicken chili, vegetarian chili and traditional chili. Running routes aren’t officially marked. There’s no bib, timing or finish line. It’s about as casual as you can get, which is cool. Summer offers enough daylight for everyone to be seen. After the time change when sunset is (excruciatingly!) early, runners are advised to have a headlight, flashlight or lighted bib. Safety, of course, is always encouraged.
Other local things like this include the Will Run for Breakfast each Friday morning, Rise and Shine run on Sunday morning, and different ones from Fleet Feet in Huntsville and Madison. If you can’t find a group to run with, you’re not searching hard enough.
Pub Run Fun
Runners celebrate the holidays, with the Halloween event at Green Bus Brewing replete with cool costumes. About 140 runners and walkers participated, moving through the downtown streets before hanging out. A run in September at Big Ed’s on Pratt Avenue had similar numbers. A solid crowd stuck around afterward for pizza and brews on the patio.
Plain said the host locations get a nice midweek bump on sales of food and beverages. Runners have solid starting and ending points, and a place to relax afterward. It’s a win-win situation for all.
MAIN PHOTO: Costumed runners toodle along past Maple Hill Cemetery for the Pub Run prior to Halloween. About 140 attended to run or walk before returning to Green Bus Brewing downtown.
