OC Craft Runners was established in 2015 and is Orange County's longest-running weekly run around a brewery. Every Monday at 7, the Organizers host a run that begins and ends at a great local brewery. It's usually a 5k and the course is typically in a rectangle around many streets, so those wanting to do a shorter run can cut it shorter by taking an earlier turn.
Here's how it goes. Many people of all shapes, sizes and running abilities, some with dogs, some with kids, some by themselves and some with larger subgroups all gather at whatever brewery the run is planned at. How do they find out about it? They see the venue and usually the planned running course on Instagram. So all these people show up and then the Organizers make a couple announcements/comments on the route. Then we all take a group picture and we're off.
The energy is palpable and the vibe is amazing. You run as part of a pack, but everyone settles into whatever pace is right for them and the clump of runners spread out as time passes. Everyone is SO nice and neighbors in the area tend to smile when they see 100+ people running happily down the road.
When the run is done, most everyone orders a beer and/or food. You definitely don't have to drink, but a craft beer tastes really good after a nice 5k.
This group also does a smaller run on Thursdays. I hear they are often a trail run but I've never been to one.
We've been on 2 runs with OC Craft Runners and LOVE everything about it. The runners are so kind and welcoming. The energy is infectious. And we loved bringing our son, who ran the first mile with us and then climbed in his stroller to get pushed the rest of the way. We would go every week, but 7pm is tough now that school has started. We will definitely be back! read more
