If you’ve been outside at all in the past few weeks, chances are you’ve probably seen some people running. Nice weather tends to bring everybody out of the woodwork.
Running tends to be a fairly individual endeavor – it’s hard to really have a conversation or concentrate hard on something while you’re exerting so much physical energy. Plus, if you want to run with somebody else, you kind of both need to be at about the same level so one person isn’t getting left in the dust.
If you count yourself as someone who likes to run but would like to make it a more social thing, this is the story for you.
We talked to a bunch of big-time runners in Concord last week and learned about some pretty cool running groups around the city. Whether you’re really competitive and looking to train for a big race or just want something fun to do after work, there’s something in the city for you.
Here’s a rundown of four of the more popular groups around.
SIX03 Endurance Pub Run
SIX03 Endurance is a 600-person, statewide endurance team that does everything – swim, bike, run, snowshoe races – you name it.
“I was on a triathlon team in 2009 and wanted something that does everything,” said owner Tom Hooper. “So we started that.”
And in addition to all those physical activities mentioned above, SIX03 Endurance also does pub runs in Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter, Laconia, Hampton – and now Concord.
These pub runs might be a little different from what you did in college: You show up outside the Barley House (if you’re doing the Concord one), and there’s a 3- and 5-mile loop to choose from. After the run, “we go back to the bar, and we get discounts on drinks and food,” Hooper said.
Before the group started – which was just a few weeks ago – Hooper contacted the Barley House and asked what the slowest night was. He figured why not help bring them some business on a slow night, while simultaneously providing an opportunity for runners to get to know each other and relax a little bit.
It’s a pretty laid-back group that just likes to go for a little run and have a cold one after – no pressure with these folks.
Thinking about joining? If you go to six03endurance.com, you can join that group for $60 a year, which gets you a shirt, hat, backpack and pint glass. The pub run, however, is free and anyone can show up and try it.
There are perks for members, though. You’ll get emails once you sign up keeping you up to date with group happenings, on top of all the cool SIX03 Endurance swag.
The pub run group meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. right around the Barley House. Last week the meetup was across the street in front of the State House and the group didn’t leave until – fittingly – 6:03.
Granite State Racing Team
The Granite State Racing Team has been an active adult running club in Concord for more than 40 years – so maybe you’ve heard of it. The group is a combination of fun and competitive, said club President Jim Monahan.
“It’s people who want to improve their running, but there’s also a social component to it, so it’s fun,” he said.
“We have about 130 people in total, but not all of them show up all the time,” he said.
These runners congregate at Memorial Field on Tuesdays between 5 and 5:15 p.m. “The first 15 minutes, we’re going over notes,” Monahan said. “Then a typical workout will be a warmup run, then a speed workout on the track.”
Like the pub run group, this group offers some perks for signed-up members. “One benefit you get as a member is we have a coach and she designs a speed workout, and she sends that out,” Monahan said. The cost to join is $35, and there’s a family rate of $55. Seniors and students are $20. The yearly membership goes from the first Tuesday in April until the last Tuesday in October.
It works out to about a dollar a week. “We’re not trying to make money on it,” Monahan said.
And you can join whenever you want.
“We want people to try it out, and if they like it, join,” Monahan said.
The best way to get involved is to show up Tuesday afternoon, he said. You can also check out the group’s Facebook page or email jmonahan11@comcast.net. They typically leave a flyer at Runner’s Alley, too.
Runner’s Alley
Hey, speak of the devil!
Runner’s Alley, a one-stop shop for all kinds of running paraphernalia, hosts a few different running groups in Concord.
There are training groups, in which people can train for a specific event. Right now, there’s a training group of about 20 people getting ready for the Rock N’ Race, said store manager Sean Gray. That’s an eight-week program that started March 28 that meets Mondays and Wednesdays.
“We also have a 10K training group coming up that’s training for the Capital City Classic 10K in June, and that will start May 3,” Gray said. “Same thing – it’s going to be eight weeks, and they’re going to meet Tuesday nights and Thursday nights at 6 p.m. right here at the store.”
Gray said there’s usually about 20 participants in every group.
The training groups will cost you a little cash, but Runner’s Alley also offers a couple weekly runs for free.
“All year round, Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m., anybody – all different levels, different paces – can join us,” Gray said. “We ask everyone to sign in with us . . . but we ask, when you come back, that you sign back in so we make sure everybody made it back safe.”
Thursday night runs are usually about 3 to 5 miles, and Saturday mornings are closer to 4 miles, Gray said.
You have some flexibility while you’re out on the run, too. If the route is a little long for you, feel free to take a shortcut. Likewise, if you think the route is a little easy for your skill level, go ahead and add a mile to your route. It’s your call.
If you want to join a group – or just learn more – head into Runner’s Alley on North Main Street or go to runnersalley.com.
Delta Dental’s Toothaches
The folks at Delta Dental are experts when it comes to teeth, but they’re no slouches in the running game, either. The business has a running group cutely named the Toothaches that meets Thursday afternoons at 4:30 (but sometimes 4) at 1 Delta Drive – the Delta Dental building near NHTI.
Personal trainer and running coach Tom Walton started the Toothaches in 2005. The number of participants varies. For popular races, like the NHTI/NEDD and Rock ‘N Race, there are about 30-plus. On regular run days, though, it’s fewer than 10.
The group doesn’t set a distance goal – it goes by time – but it’s usually between 2 and 5 miles depending on people’s needs, ability, etc. It’s a very flexible group.
If you’d like to join, just drop by at 4:30 on Thursday or call Tom Walton, Melissa Buckner or Crystal Carroll at Northeast Delta Dental. There is a cost to join, Walton said: “Sweat and smiles.”
The Toothaches group also encourages everyone to join in local run/walk events – in fact, to spread the word about how much fun can be gleaned from these events and to enjoy the camaraderie, Northeast Delta Dental recently launched a Run/Walk/Volunteer committee for employees.
