20 hours Ago By Rosalind Erskine
Home Food Restaurant Reviews Recipes Drink Distilleries Whisky Gin Craft Beer Locations Scran Podcast A Scottish beer business is hoping to take the blues out of January with a special running club. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on Email A popular beer brand has set out on a mission to prove that January doesn’t need to be miserable with the launch of a running club with a twist - and finalists are set to earn an award-winning beer once they cross the finish line. Innis & Gunn’s one-off run club is being led by Mark Baxter, UK Athletics Running Coach, and attended by former Olympian and Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist Lynsey Sharp.
‘Innis & Runn’ will follow an easy 5km route in Edinburgh – which just so happens to be a pint-shaped map on the Strava app. The event will take place on Saturday 11 January at 11am, and a complimentary 4.6% or alcohol-free lager will be awarded to all successful participants.
The run club brings to life the latest episode of Innis & Gunn’s mockumentary series, a unique ‘fly on the wall’ series showcasing the brewer’s real-life employees, including founder Dougal Sharp and commercial director Crawford Sinclair, alongside special guest stars: Scottish comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie. The third episode in the series, produced by BAFTA-winning creative agency Studio Something, begins with the Innis & Gunn team identifying that run clubs are the new pubs - and hatch a scheme to reward runners with a tasty lager. Founder and master brewer Dougal Sharp said: "The way we socialise is always evolving, but one thing remains constant: the timeless tradition of bonding over a pint, alcoholic or not, still reigns supreme.
"But things are changing, and we’ve noticed the rise in running clubs – and we want to be part of that. Innis & Runn is the perfect opportunity to get moving this January, connect with others, and build new bonds.” Scottish comedian Paul Dockery was filmed devising the plan for Innis & Runn in the Mockumentary.
He added: “Typically, I'm more of a pint-drinker than a pint runner, but I’m out to change the habit of a lifetime. New Year, new me – well at least on Saturday anyway. “I’m looking forward to putting on a pair of my shortest shorts to stride the streets with my new found buddies – all for the reward of a sweet, sweet pint of Innis & Gunn’s award-winning lager.
And I wasn’t even paid to say that.” Lynsey Sharp, who hails from Edinburgh, became the European Champion in the 800 metres and ran in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. She is set to take part in the Innis & Run event and believes that participating in group events is the key to finding the motivation to start running.
"Your running journey can feel overwhelming at first, but kicking it off with likeminded people can make all the difference. You create a community and have people there cheering you on, and that has a huge impact on not only your confidence, but motivation. “It’s been great to see the rise of running clubs - it makes the sport more accessible, more social, and more fun.
Hopefully 2025 will see even more cropping up! "Whether you're a novice or just looking for a fun event to brighten up your January, it's sure to be a great morning." Innis & Gunn’s flagship lager continues to win accolades, including a recent gold medal at the World Beer Awards, cementing its place as Scotland’s leading premium lager. Find out more about the Innis & Runn Run Club here .
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