Run for a healthy glow

By Jennifer Johnson on May 2, 2012

Everybody loves a face aglow with health and vitality. It's common knowledge that people who engage in physical activity are viewed as being more attractive.

You know what else is attractive? Grabbing a bite to eat with people who share your passion for physical activity, specifically running. Combine running, camaraderie, good eats, a few beers and flushed faces and roll it into a social club for a healthy good time. Several groups offer this experience with weekly runs, team sign-ups for running events, and outings.

Organized by local running enthusiasts Mike and Lisa Hahn, The Tacoma Runners has been going strong for several years now. The group has weekly runs each Thursday at 6:30 p.m., putting a twist on the usual evening jog; runners meet-up at restaurants, taverns and bars. Some runners throw back liquid energy while others chat and stretch to warm-up before heading out en mass. On average 30 - 70 runners converge at the meeting point, running about three miles as a group at a "social pace" on a predetermined route that loops back to the starting point for sustenance and drinks. A group this large, running together, is truly a sight to behold, especially when group members dress up in costume as some are want to do. Runs typically take place throughout downtown Tacoma, North Tacoma and Point Defiance Park. Visit The Tacoma Runners on Facebook to get connected.

Club Oly Running, a non-profit organization offering a variety of runs in the Olympia area, is for those who might be a bit more serious about their running experience. A member of the Pacific Northwest Association of USA Track and Field, all Club Oly members benefit from utilizing accredited coaches.

Also in Oly, all levels of runners are welcome to join the Guerilla Running Club for twice weekly runs. Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. the group takes off from the Olympia Farmer's Market, and Saturdays at 8 a.m. runners meet at Marathon Park. Find the Guerilla Running Club online here.

Now that you're hip to at least three awesome local running clubs, bite the bullet and join a running group now, make friends (maybe meet a fellow hot runner) and get to training for upcoming summer run events.