Racing to the bar

Outdoor
A runner’s-eye view of a weekly pub run in Portsmouth 

A place called Fat Belly’s isn’t a likely starting point for cardiovascular adventures, but that’s exactly where Six03 Endurance starts their weekly pub runs in Portsmouth. Each run is one part beer, six parts hot wings, and five parts actual running — the food, booze, and exercise basically even out.

On a cloudy, brisk April evening, Nick Diana greets me at the bar in Fat Belly’s, suited up and ready to hit the pavement. The weekly run has become very popular, according to Diana.

“The group started small, with only one to five people running each week, but now we average about 20 to 30 runners every Tuesday. If I don’t see at least a dozen or more runners here, I wonder if something is wrong,” he says with a laugh.

The Portsmouth pub run is one of six weekly Seacoast runs, with others taking place in Dover, Exeter, Rochester, Hampton, and Epping. Six03 Endurance organizes around the Seacoast. Founded in 2011, the club welcomes runners of all kinds, from veteran racers to casual runners. Diana is right — soon, runners start to pile into the bar, heading upstairs to drop off their belongings. Outside, decked in neon attire, tight spandex, and expensive GPS watches, they stretch and catch up with fellow members.

“There really is no excuse to not run right after work.” — Amanda Oles

A few young women with bright clothes and smiles to match ask if I’m new. I am, I tell them, and they gush.

“We love it! We work right down the street from here. There really is no excuse to not run right after work,” says Amanda Oles. “A lot of other people in our office come too,” says Nicole French, motioning to some coworkers.

The pub run is low pressure, and for a casual runner like me, that’s a good thing. No one talks about pace, judges others for being too slow, or boasts loudly about how fast they are. It’s all about motivation and encouragement. It’s also about beer and hot wings. And beer. Did I mention there is beer at the end?

Everyone’s GPS watches are beeping, ready to track tonight’s mileage. More runners arrive. Scott Alan may be one of the most dedicated: he sports a Six03 tattoo on his arm. According to Alan, he had good reason to permanently brand himself. After a divorce and seeing an unflattering photo of himself, he got serious about his health. “I’ve lost a total of 150 pounds but the (pub run) is responsible for 75 pounds of that,” he says. During the run, he’s a leader; he helps direct traffic and runners as they navigate the group’s two routes — one three miles, the other five — around Portsmouth. (Not that I was counting, but my GPS watch clocked the three-mile route at closer to 3.2 miles.)

Alan’s impressive weight loss isn’t the only achievement I later hear about during the run. One woman credits the group with motivating her to sign up and complete a half marathon. Another tells me it builds office morale — most of his coworkers run on Tuesdays and participate in the Seacoast Road Race Series.

Every week, before the run begins, the runners take a group picture. “I think it helps people stay accountable, showing everyone on social media they were here. It also encourages them to come back,” Diana says.

I turn on to Hanover Street for the final stretch. This hill looks a lot like Mount Everest. Was there always a hill here?

And so, we gather for a picture. Then, we’re off! I choose the three-mile route and take a right off Bow Street onto Hanover Street. The other runners look so focused, so committed. My run, though, goes something like this:

Mile 0-.25: The sound of the other runners’ feet encourages me to speed up. I can do this! It’s not too hot or cold out and — what is that smell? Tacos? I love tacos. Maybe I’ll just run into Dos Amigos for a quick taco.

Mile .25-1: I don’t get a taco. But at least it’s a quiet night along the water at Prescott Park. The perfect place for a little nap on the grass. I love naps. And tacos. And running. I love running.

Mile 1: I get some encouragement (OK, distraction) from the other runners. We chat about work, the horrible winter we made it through, which beer we’ll order at the end. I love beer.

Mile 1.5: Coming up to the Sagamore Avenue intersection, Diana and Alan direct us toward the rest of the five-mile route (which heads down Sagamore), or straight ahead for the three-mile route. I keep going. I’m halfway there! Halfway to hot wings! I love hot wings.

Mile 2: We turn right on to Route 1. I am the last in line; luckily, two other runners have made sure I am not too lonely on my first night.

Mile 2.25: Diana and Alan bring up the rear, making sure no one is left behind. How the heck did they get here so quickly? They were just at a dead stop directing everyone! (Note to self: Run faster next time.)

Mile 2.75: From the packed sidewalks, I am reminded that it’s Shuck-A-Buck night at Jumpin’ Jays. I love oysters. Maybe — no, you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to eat an oyster right now.

Mile 3: I turn on to Hanover Street for the final stretch. This hill looks a lot like Mount Everest. Was there always a hill here? I’m dying. Where is the beer? I love beer.

Finally, I make it. Everyone who got here first gives up a cheer when the remaining runners arrive. That’s me — I’m a runner! Now, where’s my beer?

Six03 Endurance hosts pub runs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Portsmouth (in front of Fat Belly’s on Bow Street), Dover (in front of the Dover Brick House on Orchard Street), and Exeter (in front of 11 Water St.), and on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Epping (at the Holy Grail on Main Street), Rochester (at Revolution Taproom and Grill on North Main Street), and Hampton (at Smuttynose Brewery on Towle Farm Road). Visit six03endurance.com.