CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Downtown Corpus Christi Run Club is a pilot program that started Jan. 11 aiming to bring activity to downtown Corpus Christi.
Alyssa Barrera-Mason, executive director of the Downtown Management District, said the run club is an attempt to try and establish some normalcy for people in the Coastal Bend amid the pandemic.
“Help people get back out downtown, learn how to support downtown in a safe manner," she said. "Get some exercise, get healthy, and just reestablish activity down here in the downtown area."
The runners club has more than 300 members on its Facebook page where you can also sign up to join. The runners meet every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. outside of Lucy’s Snackbar for the 2-mile run or walk.
Members Heidi Bray and Brandi Bush say they both moved to Corpus Christi this past summer and joined the club in January.
“It’s been a really good way to get to know each other, develop friendships, it’s been fun,” Bray said.
“I started walking then you know jogging and now I am like running every day so I mean it's for everyone,” Bush added.
And once participants make it back to the finish line, the race is not over. A reward awaits with a happy hour.
“We have a cycle through downtown, where going through different businesses for the downtown run club happy hour after you run your two miles after you have earned that,” Barrera-Mason said.
The runners' club pilot program is great for exercise, socializing but also supporting local businesses at the end.
“It’s neat to see people continuing to come," said Jessica Gignac, co-owner of Lucy's Snackbar. "We want people to think of downtown as being a place where they can hang out, they can go from one place to another, they can run, they can bring their dog, bring their kids."
Developing better health while supporting the downtown area benefits all.
“People are really excited to have a reason to come out and enjoy downtown," Barrera-Mason said. "And we're excited to support that."
To join the club visit their Facebook page here.
