For the love of beer and running

For Tej Sandhu, running and beer go together like peanut butter and jelly.

As a beer enthusiast and avid runner, Sandhu thought surely there must be more people out there like him who like to cap off their runs with a tasty pint.

So as many do these days when they’re looking for others who share their interests, he checked Twitter.

He saw a Tweet from Dan Grant, a local beer writer and fellow runner, asking if anyone wanted to go for a run and then follow it up with a beer.

There was just one problem.

“It was during the winter and we were having one of those mega blizzards,” Sandhu said. “It definitely wasn’t the nicest time for a run.”

Nevertheless, the two met and then ran and then had a beer. This is how RunTOBeer was born.

Now one of the biggest running groups in Toronto, they have over 1300 members, along with many other runners who have come out for one of their events.

The group starts off by running a 10K route, with more runners joining at the 3K and 5K marks, before they all end up at a local bar or brewery.

The group supports local brewers, and with the explosion of craft beer in Ontario over the past several years, they now have a ton of different options to pick from.

But the group isn’t just an excuse to drink. Instead, runners get to learn about the beer they’re drinking – from manufacturing process to flavour profile – often from the brewer themselves.

Sandhu said the experience of marrying two of his biggest passions has been incredible.

“It’s wild,” he said. “I knew they’re be people out there who would be into this, but I never expected it to grow like this.”

Many RunTOBeer runners will be making the trip northeast on the 401 this May for the 2016 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

In fact, they held their first tune-up run for the event on February 7th, and will be following it up with a second in April this year (featuring local brewing company Beau’s).

Until then, you can check out their website or follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.