The Alpharetta Big Peach Runners meet up, rain or shine, on the third Wednesday of every month at Jekyll Brewing. Don Hansen heads up the crew and says runners of all levels are welcome to join their group. With a built-in support network, a running club is a smart way to get your run in and strike up new friendships.
Dress wisely for the cooler weather, with plenty of reflective clothing and even lights. Be safe and have a healthy new year!
Alpharetta City Lifestyle: When did the club start and how has the group changed over time?
Don Hansen: Big Peach Running Company has been in Alpharetta since 2010. One of the primary goals is to spread the “pedestrian active lifestyle” so there has been a run group out of the store since almost the beginning. Safety is the number one priority of the group and we don’t want to leave any runner behind so we started a program where we would have each runner sign in and out. Every year we have a King and Queen of mileage and reward those two individuals that run the most run group miles for the year. If any runner runs over 200 run group miles they get a complementary 200 mile shirt. Typically every year we have between 20-30 runners that get the shirt. Right now we are at around 150 different runners.
ACL: What levels of runners run with you? What distances do you run?
DH: We have all levels of runners. We have had runners that run with the elite team with the Atlanta Track Club as well as beginners. What is cool about the group is that they all encourage each other. Our group has four primary routes that we run ranging from a couple miles to a little over five miles.
ACL: Do you have any social events with the club?
DH: Social events are a strength of the club. On special Saturdays, we go for a run and cook up a bunch of pancakes and bacon for everyone after the run. We’ve had potlucks, a Halloween run and an ugly sweater run. Manufacturers often have products or shoes they want to debut and come to the store to show them off. I see the group as a platform for the store to promote all things healthy. Most of the runners that come to group are seeking something. Some to stay in shape. Some to meet new people doing something they love. Some to find training partners to get to that next level. Whatever the intent, what I find is the best is that they all are so inclusive and supportive of each other. The fastest and the slowest. Young and old.
ACL: What are your go-to power snacks during the colder months?
DH: I could go into a long discussion when it comes to power snacks. Everyone has their favorites. Some are minimalists and stick to some type of “Gu” product and some type of hydration. While others, ultra-marathoners for example, will include fried chicken and peanut butter and jelly. For simplicity, I guess a two-part answer here. During a run, I pretty much stick to what I use in the summer. Some type of “Gu” chomps and “Nuun” to drink. But after a run, there is not much more satisfying than having a big stack of pancakes and bacon after a nice cold morning long run. Wash it down with a couple of cups of coffee.
MEET THE RUNNERS
Jekyll Brewing, 2855 Marconi Dr
For details: FB - BigPeachAlpharetta
Safety is the number one priority of the group and we don’t want to leave any runner behind