The Return of Pub Runs
The group at the GAP start; (Photo credit: Jimmy Leung
The city that never sleeps needed rest. New York City spent over a year in quarantine, social distancing and following the CDC guidelines to cease the spread of COVID-19. When the pandemic began the usual hustle and bustle fell quiet as people stayed home. Last March now sounds like a story out of a comic book: rationed toilet paper and paper towels and people wore winter scarves over their mouths to go to the grocery store. It is a time we will never forget, but hopefully we can grow together, heal together, and of course run together.
PPTC’s Pub Run was announced for May 19th in late March's SpeedRead and the interest was overwhelming. Of course we needed to account for an appropriate amount of people in and outside the bar, so the Social Committee capped the Pub Run at 20 people. Since there were so many people who wanted to partake in the Pub Run, the starting locations were Grand Army Plaza, Harry’s Wall and Bartel Pritchard Square ending at That Bar, Bluebird and Farrell’s/ Double Windsor, respectively. I attended the Grand Army Plaza start that ended at That Bar.
I joined PPTC in the dead of winter during a global pandemic to find a community in Brooklyn. As difficult as this year has been for everyone, I am really glad I joined PPTC when I did because I had the opportunity to form friendships during group runs as well as in Zoom Meetings. I learned to knit a scarf, bake muffins, cook potstickers, and attended Awards Night all over Zoom with people who live in Brooklyn! It was a different kind of connection, but a connection nonetheless to Brooklyn, PPTC, and the people in our club.
Only recently have bars begun reopening for inside socializing. This was a very pivotal moment for Pub Run to happen- a symbol of the pandemic winding down and introducing more social gatherings for PPTC. Pub Run was a great time after a Wednesday night run to be able to talk to fellow runners about their running goals, upcoming races, and personal lives. I saw friendly faces from past group runs and met new runners. The food and drinks were abundant and everyone ordered whatever they pleased! Pub Run was a semblance of normalcy in a not normal time and a wonderful treat to break up the week. I am so excited to attend the next Pub Run.
PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to celebrate the diversity of our club and membership. We welcome and encourage everyone to share their stories with us.
Text by: Rachel Harris (she/her)
Photos: as noted
Edited by: Linda S.Chan (she/her)
Produced by: Linda S. Chan