- November 27, 2024
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The Tomoka Runners Club ran a 5K starting and ending at Tomoka Brewery on East Granada Boulevard.
Michelle Hays and Ashley Sypian start off on the 5K run at the one-year anniversary party for the Tomoka Runners Club. Photo by Wayne Grant
The air was warm and humid in a 5K run that included the Granada Bridge at 6:30 p.m. on a recent evening, but the craft beer afterwards was cool and wet.
All of the runs by the Tomoka Runners Club end with socializing over beer, and the club celebrated their one-year anniversary Aug. 2 with a cookout at Tomoka Brewery, 188 E. Granada Blvd.
Founder Graham Hays it’s a social club with “fun runs” where everyone goes at their own pace.
“We run the gamut from fast runners to people pushing a baby carriage,” he said.
They meet often at Tomoka Brewery but also at places such as Grind on West Granada Boulevard or Beachside Brewery in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
They also run on the beach, trails, etc. They currently have about 65 members with about 20 showing up for recent runs.
The Granada Bridge added a bit of effort to the recent 5K.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” said club member Len Lessmiller, “especially the second time coming back. But it’s good. It strengthens you.”
Jim Naumann said he likes the casual organization of Tomoka Runners Club.
“It’s a consensus type of operation,” he said.
There’s a lot of discussion these days about the trend of enjoying beer after a run, but Hays said he didn’t know much about the science. He just enjoys beer after a run.
“If you enjoy running and enjoy beer you might as well balance out the calories,” he said.
Find them on Facebook at Tomoka Runners Club.
SIDEBAR
New members welcome
For information, find Tomoka Runners Club on Facebook.
WORTH REPEATING
“If you enjoy running and enjoy beer, you might as well balance out the calories.”
Graham Hays, founder, Tomoka Runners Club
