Run Club Spotlight: St Elmo’s Coffee & Run Crew

We are venturing into Virginia for this week’s Run Club Spotlight. St. Elmo’s Coffee & Run Crew meets at different St. Elmo’s Coffee shops around Alexandria. You may mistake this group for a simple coffee club, but rest assured, you will earn that post-run coffee and pastry.

When/Where does the group meet?

Thursday at 6:15 a.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee in Old Town. We also have a second Hillz run on Wednesdays at 6:15 a.m., meeting at one of the three St. Elmo’s Coffees in Alexandria.

We run about 5 miles at about a 9:00 min/mile pace, followed by coffee and breakfast hangout at St. Elmo's.

What makes St. Elmo’s Coffee and Run Crew different from other running groups?

We are very inclusive and supportive, and we have a ton of fun throughout the week on social media. It's very connected.

What is the mix of runners and who thrives in your run club?

People that want to run, but like a social element and company. People who are running or training for races also do well as the group really rallies behind our racers and supports them.

Women do very well in our group, as we are about 50% female membership.

We have Boston Qualifiers, ultra runners, and people that just like to run.

Walk us through a typical run.

We usually begin each run by verifying the route and running five miles.

It is either the standard Alexandria Old Town meetup which is about 200 feet in elevation or our Wednesday Hillz run which is about 600 feet in elevation. We always hang out afterward.

Coffee and brunch is always happening after our runs. There is a weekly happy hour, and we support each other at races.

What should first-timers know before showing up to your run club?

People will welcome you, and run with you throughout the run. We are friendly and will want to learn about you in a casual manner. You will be invited to coffee and most importantly we will invite you back for next week's run.

Share a memorable moment, tradition, or story that captures what your group is all about.

Our annual Elf run is so funny. Someone hangs elf ornaments all over Alexandria trees, and we go on a treasure hunt looking for them on a cold December night. We compete as teams for treats at the party afterward.

Invariably, 10-15 elves get hijacked, taken down, or stolen, which creates healthy debates about who is the actual winner. It's the most fun I've had at a holiday party in my decades in the DC area.

How can people find St. Elmo’s Coffee and Run Crew and get involved?

Follow us on Instagram and Strava.

Want to have your run club highlighted in the newsletter? Submit your group here.