Clayton Area Runners

Clayton Area Runners We are a free association of runners and running advocates who have a shared interest in growing the culture and sport of running in Clayton. All are welcome!

Our vision is to encourage and grow the sport and culture of running in the Clayton area through social engagement and community partnerships with local groups, businesses, schools and government. Our runners range from beginners doing their first 5K to Marathon and Ultra-distance runners.

Today we celebrate the simple act that brings us all together: running! Whether you're chasing a new PR, training for yo...
06/03/2026

Today we celebrate the simple act that brings us all together: running!

Whether you're chasing a new PR, training for your first race, enjoying miles with friends, or just getting out the door for a walk/run, every step counts.

At Clayton Area Runners, we're grateful for every runner who joins us, encourages others, and helps build our amazing running community. Like Jesse says, "our run club is great, because the people in it are great." Running isn't just about pace or distance—it's about showing up, supporting each other, and enjoying the journey.

So lace up your shoes, get outside, and celebrate the joy of movement today. Whether it's 1 mile or our 5K TONIGHT AT Fare Game , make it count and share your run with us!

💙 Every runner has a pace.
💙 Every mile matters.
💙 Every step is worth celebrating.

👟 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏾‍♂️ 🌎 Happy Global Running Day! Earth🌎🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👟

06/01/2026

Here's your Friendly Reminder that the TDC is in 30 Days!
Signups (FREE) Start this week.
TDC Runs from July 1st - July 30th.

Male/Female Age Groups.
M40 / M60+
F40 / F60+
Running and Rucking Divisions.

12 Stages over 4 weeks in July.
First 3 stages will be released on July 1st.

No Bibs. No Chips. No Shirts. No Medals.
The only "Buy-in" is if you don't win, you agree to purchase the winner a Beer or Food at our End-Of-Tour celebration on July 30th (Thursday at Deep River)

Expect to run a a couple of familiar routes and new routes you may not know even existed. We will be running all over the Clayton Region.

**You must use a fitness tracker. It does NOT have to be a watch, it can be an app on your phone. You must have some way to measure your effort accurately.

End-Of-Tour Celebration:
Winners of each AG
Red Lantern Award
Raffle Prizes for everyone who completes all 12 Stages (time irrelevant)

Jennifer and Jesse will be the judges and administrators for the competition and they are strict.
What will cause you to DQ a stage:
You did not run the course as described.
You did not hit the mileage as posted.
You did not take a Starting Selfie.
You Started in the wrong location.
You paused your watch, caught your breath, then started it again.
You rode a bike, skateboard, rollerblades or jumped in a car.

🏃‍♂️🌎 Clayton Area Runners – THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE 🌎🏃‍♀️What's a better way to celebrate global running day this week tha...
06/01/2026

🏃‍♂️🌎 Clayton Area Runners – THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE 🌎🏃‍♀️

What's a better way to celebrate global running day this week than to join us for another great week of miles, community, and fun!
Its supposed to be sunny tuesday-sunday which means please HYDRATE!

📅 This Week's Runs:

☀️ Monday – 5:00 AM Early Risers
📍 Horne Square
5 mi at 5 AM. Be there, be seen, no social after

🌆 Tuesday – 6:30 PM
📍 Vinson's Pub & Eatery
Easy in and out path will get you about 2 mi, add a neighborhood run for the 5k!

☀️ Wednesday – 5:00 AM Early Risers
📍 Horne Squar

🎉 Global Running Day! 🎉
Celebrate the joy of running with us! Whether you're chasing a PR, starting your running journey, or just showing up for the community, Wednesday is the perfect day to lace up and get moving. Let's get those kudos on Strava!

🌆 Wednesday – 6:30 PM
📍 Fare Game (Back Patio)
Similar path to Tuesday night but add a little bit of Main St running

🌆 Thursday – 6:30 PM
📍 Deep River Brewing Company
Run around Downtown Clayton in our 5k or 5 mi route!

☀️ Friday – 5:00 AM
📍 Horne Square

✨ All paces are welcome. Walkers, runners, strollers, and first-timers are encouraged to join us!

📣 Upcoming Events
• Lake Day Social – July 18
• Tour De Clayton – July 1-31

Tag a friend who should join you this week and help us celebrate !

See you tomorrow!06:15ish meet up06:30 PM picture and send off Deep River Brewing Company Come join us on our runs aroun...
05/28/2026

See you tomorrow!

06:15ish meet up
06:30 PM picture and send off
Deep River Brewing Company

Come join us on our runs around town! Meet new friends, enjoy good beer, and get out for your health!

Check out our site:
ClaytonAreaRunners.com

Thank you to everyone that came out this morning! Wonderful turn out and wonderful friends! Memorial day is dedicated to...
05/25/2026

Thank you to everyone that came out this morning!

Wonderful turn out and wonderful friends!

Memorial day is dedicated to those men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for us.

We run to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This will be a group run through town, carrying Old ...
05/24/2026

We run to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This will be a group run through town, carrying Old Glory and paying homage to the war fighters no longer with us.

📍 Town Square
⌚ 7:30am Meetup at Town Square.

We'll meet up at Town Square for a moment of reflection before moving over to the Veteran's memorial.

If you would like to share the name or story of a loved one or friend who gave the ultimate sacrifice, we'll take a few moments to share among the group.

Bring your American Flags or Service Flags for this run.

On Site post-run social. Feel free to bring something to share with others. I will have a cooler full of water to share with everyone.

It's back! Our group trail runs at Williamson Preserve! Join fellow runners for a group run through the preserve on thes...
05/15/2026

It's back! Our group trail runs at Williamson Preserve!
Join fellow runners for a group run through the preserve on these single-track, smooth trails that are great for everyone from beginners to trail running veterans.

📢 Post-Run Breakfast Social is a GO! This will be a pot-luck style breakfast social after the run. Bring something to share if you can.
I (Jesse) will be making Blueberry Kodiak Pancakes for anyone who show's up. (and possibly bacon)

Items I will be bringing for shared use.
- 10x10 Canopy
- 5gal Water Jug
- 6ft folding table.
- Table Top Griddle
- Utensils, plates, cups, etc.

**BRING Camping Chairs or a Blanket / Towel to sit on.

🌲 You can get in all mileages from 1 mile up to +10 miles.

So how does this work?
We'll meet up at the parking lot at 7:30am, discuss how far everyone is looking to go and then we'll take off as a group around 7:40-ish. All paces are welcome and these runs are never "fast" for anyone.

The group will make their way down the single-track trails and will naturally spread out and fall into your own pace. At the trail intersections the group will stop, take in some water, re-group, see who wants to keep going or turn around and then continue on.

⚠️ But I don't have any trail shoes! - NO WORRIES, you don't need any on these trails. Road shoes will work fine on these smooth trails as they are smooth packed sand with very little technical areas or rocks and roots.

⚠️ But I'm not as fast as everyone else! - NO WORRIES! This is a "Your Pace - Your Distance" run! You do you, and if you fall behind, we'll regroup and see you again at the trail intersections.

There is no water at the trail head or on trail, be prepared to carry your own water if you want it.

Tomorrow 7:30 AM!

Jesse (our club president) is officially 60 days out from the start of his Marathon Build for his 5th Marathon this fall...
05/13/2026

Jesse (our club president) is officially 60 days out from the start of his Marathon Build for his 5th Marathon this fall. (Chicago - OCT).

This is an open invite to all runners who are preparing for a FALL 2026 Marathon. It could be your first Marathon, or your going for a new PR or even wanting to Qualify for Boston.

In the weeks leading up to the start, Jesse will be at DR on Thursdays and will gladly share many of the Lessons Learned over the years/races, the training plan he's using and answer any questions you may have.

Training in a group this Summer and Fall means you'll have accountability, encouragement and shared logistics with placing water & nutrition on the trail during our long runs. We'll also do a few long-runs out on the ATT and possibly a Long Run at the Beach. (TBA).

This is not a separate group away from CAR, but rather a cohort of people wanting to have an incredible Marathon experience this fall.

It was great seeing so many CAR people out yesterday! Thanks for coming to Bearded Bee Brewing Company 🐝 🍯 See you tonig...
05/12/2026

It was great seeing so many CAR people out yesterday! Thanks for coming to Bearded Bee Brewing Company 🐝 🍯

See you tonight at Vinson's!

Address

Clayton, NC

Website

https://claytonarearunners.mlswebstores.com/

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