WELLNESS
NICOLA FOLEY SITS DOWN WITH THE FITNESS AND WELLBEING WARRIORS CREATING UNIQUE COMMUNITIES AROUND THE CITY
“I was doing all of these events by myself, and loved the run, but then I used to feel a bit deflated afterwards,” he explains. “Basically, I wanted to create a community of people wanting to make more running friends.” The Cambridge group has been going strong for four years, but the original MRC began life eight years ago in Denmark, where the Mikkeller brewery is based. “The two brewers there decided they were getting a bit chubby from all the beer they were drinking,” laughs Gregory. “So they started a running club which brought people together with running and beer!” Since then, it’s grown to more than 200 active chapters, catering to some 25,000 runners around the world. The Cambridge group meets on the first Saturday of the month (at a very agreeable-to-a-lie-in 3pm), at Thirsty on Chesterton Road. It heads out on a 5k around Midsummer Common and Jesus Green, with co-captains leading the way and running at the back of the pack to make sure nobody gets left behind. It’s a sociable event, encouraging runners of all abilities: “We’ve had people just coming for a walk, with their dogs or buggies – you don’t even have to run. We
typically get around 20 per run – and there’s a real range of paces.” Post-run, the group sets up camp at Thirsty, enjoys some drinks and catches up. “It’s a real community. At this point, they’re not just people I run with – they’re my best friends,” says Gregory. “I love that whatever country you’re in, you can turn up and say ‘I’m a Mikkeller runner’ and they’ll accept you, take you on a run, show you around and have a couple of beers with you. The community is welcoming, inclusive – and global!”
AS A PACK Community and companionship are at the heart of the local chapter of Mikkeller runners
MIKKELLER RUNNING CLUB
Predicated on a love of two things – beer and running – this group meets monthly for a friendly jog around town, followed by a few pints. Part of a global movement which has chapters everywhere from San Diego to Singapore, the Cambridge arm of Mikkeller Running Club (MRC) was founded by Gregory Barker, who simply ‘wanted someone to celebrate with after a run!’
50 JANUARY 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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