The Uptown Pub Run is a running event that occurs in Uptown Martinsville every Monday. The event is sponsored by the Martinsville Henry County YMCA and Renewal Brewing. The ultimate goal is to promote year-round fitness in the community.
The weekly event is coordinated by Brian Hurd, who starting in 2025 will be helping with the Miles in Martinsville races. The run has been going for about 24 weeks and has picked up since the team partnered up with the YMCA.
“The most we’ve ever had is 45, the least we’ve ever had is 15,” said Hurd. Hurd said the run averages in the 20s with runners. There have been less participants since the weather got colder, but the running club intends to keep meeting through the winter months.
“The crowd for the pub runs kind of different from the people who do the races, there are a few here who sign up for the races and are competitive.” The Pub Run is a laid-back experience where runners can come out to walk and run through Uptown.
People are able to socialize during and after the run at Renewal Brewing. Hurd said that a couple from Florida moved to the area, and he believed that running helped the couple connect.
Hurd emphasized that just because the run starts and ends at a brewery, runners don’t need to drink to enjoy the event. “I come down here and drink water and talk. Hurd also said that you don’t have to come to the brewery, and families with kids are welcome to run the route.
Hurd is joined by his wife and kids. He also loves running. Teachers from the local area also usually make their way to the run, allowing for people from all walks of life to socialize and focus on staying healthy.
Hurd says that running helped him with stress relief. Previously Hurd would have had some drinks, but once he started running the activity replaced drinking for him. He then started to get his family involved and even encouraged his daughter to run and after offering a cash reward she learned that she could run much further than she originally thought.
“I like to do stuff hard, and for a lot of people knowing that a group is meeting at a certain time on a certain day helps them do it.” Hurd emphasized that it’s a safe environment and a great place for female runners to get out. “You can’t run far without seeing someone else from the group.”
Hurd said that the run gives everyone a sense of accomplishment. “Even adults that haven’t run since high school, no matter how slow or fast they are running they have a feeling of accomplishment.”
The runners typically meet in front of the Martinsville Henry County Historical Society. The run begins at 6 p.m. on Mondays, and the course through Uptown is explained to new participants. Runners who wish to drink at Renewal Brewing will get a $1 off of their first beer. Some runners do different loops and distances allowing everyone to tailor the route to their needs.
