With Pubrun, I’ve found myself part of an unlikely but wonderful group of friends who offer support, entertainment, and camaraderie. Things that are not always guaranteed in the often solo world of running.
I’m in a different age group to most of the regulars, but honestly, that doesn’t matter. When you share a common passion, those kinds of differences quickly fade into the background. I’m also not originally from this part of the country, and I work in a profession that can sometimes feel detached from the rhythms of everyday life. Being part of the Pubrun community has helped me feel grounded. It’s turned this area from a place I live into somewhere I truly feel at home. I’ve met people’s families, learned local stories, and been shown hidden trails I would never have discovered alone.
Everyone in the group runs for their own reasons – some for fitness, others for social connection, or simply to get outdoors. My motivation is a mix of maintaining physical fitness and enjoying the thrill of friendly competition. And while the competition is always good-natured, it’s definitely still competition! What’s great about Pubrun is that even those who aren’t competing with one another invest fully in the stories and successes that come out of these friendly rivalries. There’s a genuine interest in each other’s progress, and that spirit is contagious.
But beyond all that, there’s a sense of adventure that keeps us coming back week after week. At 6:30pm on a Thursday evening, we set off into the woods and fields of AL6 and the surrounding countryside with only our headtorches lighting the way. We might have routes loaded onto watches, but things rarely go to plan. Will Jazzy take a wrong turn after stopping to tie his laces? Will Nikki’s shoes survive another bog encounter? Will Andrew Ackrill ever loop back, or are the slower runners left to battle nature alone?
No matter what happens, there’s always a pub waiting for us at the end, where the night’s escapades are recounted (often with a bit of exaggeration).
Pubrun isn’t just about running, or pubs. It’s about making sure you truly leave work behind, embracing the unexpected adventure, and making a place feel like home—one muddy mile at a time.