Club Events

More than just a running club! See all of our planned events for the year below!

Weekly Runs

Select / Tap a day for more information.

Monday: 6:30pm at Tavern 42: Join us for a "Your Pace-Your Distance" Run that starts and finishes at Tavern 42. This route is along a sidewalk with no overhead lighting. A flashlight, blinking light and reflective gear is required during the winter months and limited visibility. Stick around after the run for a very informal social.
Tuesday: 6:30pm at Vinson's Pub & Eatery: Join us for a "Your Pace-Your Distance" run that can take you through Downtown Clayton and neighborhoods. Show up a little early, meet other runners and form a team/group of similar pace & distance. Meet up at Vinson's after for an informal social!
Wednesday: 6:30pm (Downtown Clayton). Join us in the month of MAY, 2024 as we run from different locations in Downtown Clayton (FARE GAME, MAIN St. WINE & BEER, LADIDA) before we make a final decision on our new Home Base for Wednesday runs.
Thursday: 6:30pm at Deep River Brewing Co. Join us for a 5-mile loop route through downtown Clayton followed by a informal social. Distances can be extended or shortened as needed.
Saturday: Free Association Running! Want some company on your long run? Post in the Facebook Group your distance and expected pace and location and others may join in! Keep an eye on the Calendar for special events.

Quarterly Trail Cleanup

Come out and help us keep the Clayton Area Runners’ mile (mile 25-26) of the trail trash free and beautiful!! We start at Mial Plantation parking and make our way up our mile and back. Trash bags, gloves and bottled water will be provided. NEXT UP: TBA

Blood Drives

Our collaboration with The Blood Connection benefits our community with blood and our club with a return of money for every donation. Stay up to date on our Facebook Page and Instagram along with checking here for our next Blood Drive!

Our next Blood Donation Event is TBA

Track Training

The Run-Before-The-Sun Track Training will commence in March 2024 and run through May 2024 with the goal of increasing overall fitness and getting our getting our fastest 5K times possible. Training was conducted from 5:15am to 6:10am at Clayton H.S. until the new Principal locked us out. If you know the Principal, let Jesse or Amy know and we will work to get the track opened back up.

NEXT UP: TBA

Couch to 5K (C25K)

Are you interested in a Couch to 5K program? Reach out to us at Claytonarearunners@gmail.com or show up to a weekly run and let's have a conversation.

Trail Runs

Check the Club Calendar for our Monthly Trail Runs on Saturday or Sunday. Our normal trails runs are at the Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve.

We meet at the Parking Lot at the North End of the Preserve. There is 1 porta-a-potty on site that is usually clean and stocked. We generally start and finish at the parking lot. If the gate is locked the trails are closed. (Usually due to rain / mud)

NEXT UP: TBA

Relay for Life

We are proud to support the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Johnston County taking place at Smithfield-Selma High School in 2024. The event start time is TBA. You can donate and/or participate in the walk by signing up here Relay for Life of Johnston County

4th of July Run

Join us for our annual 4th of July Firecracker run! This year we'll be back on the Greenway at Sam's Branch. Our run will take place on July 6th, 2024. Meetup at Sam's Branch entrance at 6:15am and stepping off shortly after for a 5K, 4mi or 5mi route. Bring a snack / drink to share with fellow runners following the run. No bibs, no shirts, no medals, no time. Show up and run happy! Open to all runners of all abilities.

9/11 Memorial Run

Join us as we commemorate the heroism and lives lost that day with a run through downtown Clayton, carrying American Flags and dressed patriotically. This route will take us past the Clayton PD, Clayton EMS and Clayton FD.

Labor Day Social

Join us on Monday, September 2nd, 2024 at Clayton Municipal Park for a group run on the Greenway followed by a Breakfast Social at the park. (Potluck style).

Christmas Social

Join us on a Thursday, December 12th, 2024 at Deep River Brewing Co from 6pm-9pm for our annual Christmas Social. Show up and run at 6:30pm for our regularly scheduled Thursday run or show up and just enjoy the social. Years past we've had an amazing amount of food and good times. This is a pot-luck style event, so bring your favorite Holiday dessert or appetizer to share and wear your themed sweaters. This event has grown over the years and is our largest event of the year! Be sure not to miss it!