Purdy hands over GBR reins, weekly gatherings to continue

The concept behind Gettysburg Beer Runners is simple: run or walk a few miles–your distance, your pace–and have a cold beverage with friends old and new.

For 13 years, hundreds of Gettysburg-area residents and visitors have enjoyed the midweek respite best known as GBR. Members improved their health. Friendships and even marriages have formed over sweat and suds. Thousands of dollars have been raised for non-profit organizations. Local businesses received much-appreciated support from their community, especially during the typically slow winter season.

In an age when social groups are waning, GBR succeeds because of consistency–same day and time every week, ensuring a bar is ready for an influx of customers, a weekly newsletter alerting subscribers where to gather on Wednesday, and a day-of social media post encouraging the crowds to gather.

While GBR may seem simple to those who attend, there are many keys to its success. Since day one, Mark Purdy has held those keys. He officially handed them over to Sean Lazarus and Shane Wright on Wednesday, June 3, at Fourscore Brewing Company, only a stone’s throw away from where it all began.

Early Days

The inaugural GBR was held on June 6, 2013, at Tommy’s Pizza on Steinwehr Avenue. Purdy, a longtime community advocate with a resume full of involvement in non-profit organizations, was inspired by Fishtown Beer Runners in Philadelphia. Fishtown Beer Runners launched in 2007 when Eric Fiedler told David April about a beer study conducted by Dr. Manuel Castillo (The Professor) at the University of Granada, Spain, which concluded that after exercise and subsequent water losses, a moderate intake of beer has no deleterious effects on markers of hydration in active individuals.

Fifteen people–five of whom were present Wednesday–gathered that first night, which ended with someone asking Purdy, “Where are we going next week?” 

GBR evenings begin with walkers at 6 p.m. and runners at 6:30 p.m. Some people choose their own route or length, and are just as welcome as those who stay with the pack. At the bar of the week, conversations can center around anything on people’s minds, including family, careers, nostalgia, or running goals. Before everyone goes their separate ways, Purdy thanks the group’s host and raises a glass.

“To the professor!

To the run!

To the round!

GBR on three; one, two, three-GBR!”

Growth and change

Word quickly spread about GBR, and the Wednesday gatherings ballooned. Some were lacing up running shoes for the first time and soon started making plans to run in formal races. 

The Gettysburg beer scene has undergone some changes since GBR members first raised a pint. Early favorite stops including O’Rorkes, Taverna, and Gettysburg Eddie’s remain on the rotation. The group has said goodbye to others such as The Blue Parrot Bistro, Appalachian Brewing Company on Buford Avenue, and The Arendtsville Inn. 

When establishments opened, including Fourscore, Gettysburger, and Mason Dixon Distillery, proprietors could count on GBR being one of their first supporters. 

GBR t-shirts were common sights at local races, including the YWCA Spirit of Gettysburg 5K, Encore Breast Cancer Awareness 5K, Race Against Racism, Gettysburg Battlefield Marathon, Linda Kranias Memorial 5K, inspired by Stacy Hobbs, and Healthy Adams County Free 5K. All but the Free 5K have since folded.

Groups of friends also traveled to races in Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, some accomplishing goals they never thought possible before joining GBR. 

In 2022, United Way of Adams County awarded GBR its annual Heart and Hand Award for bringing the community together.

Relationships

The heart of GBR’s success is not Gettysburg, beer, or running but the people pulled together by those common interests.

“From mid-August 2014, Wednesdays have been important and held a special place for me,” said Ted Samson. “Besides the weekly runs and evenings at the bar, I’ve found the best friends, run a couple hundred races, met up with so many people on cold mornings for training runs in the depths of winter, logged thousands of miles in and around town, always making time for a drink and friendship after.”

GBR has proven that good friends make each other better. 

“I have developed lifetime friends who convinced me to sign up for races and distances that I never would have had the courage to do,” said Penny Yingling.

Group photos were common in the early days of GBR. One such shot, taken at Taverna, featured strangers Matt Booz and Megan Colbey. The two met shortly after, dated, married, and marked their own special occasion on the night of Mark’s last night as GBR’s leader.

“Today was the birthday of one of the three children we’ve had together since that beautiful night in Fairfield,” Megan Booz said.

The COVID-19 pandemic paused large social gatherings such as GBR beginning in March 2020. For several months, members stayed in touch on social media, sharing photos of their weekly runs and the beverages that followed. When restrictions were lifted, GBR fanatics raced back to normal.

“The most amazing thing that has happened throughout all of these years is that we survived COVID,” Purdy said. “That proved that people need to be together.”

Traditions

As GBR grew, annual traditions began to form.

In February, long-distance runners would trek from Gettysburg to the Ott House in Emmitsburg for the Groundhog (Almost) Half Marathon. Certified Race Director Lisa Angstadt organized the run with the assistance of volunteer course marshals. 

For many years, the group convened at the South Mountain Fairgrounds on a Saturday afternoon for their annual GBR picnic. Like the Wednesday runs, the concept remained simple–contribute money towards a catered BBQ lunch, and throw a six-pack or two into the community coolers. The band Jalopy Deluxe, comprised of GBR regulars, played music while members danced to classics such as “Copperhead Road.”

The night before Thanksgiving, GBR gathered around the fireplace at the Reliance Mine Saloon for a pre-holiday Tommy’s Pizza feast. A month later, on Christmas Eve, they opened Gettysburg Eddie’s around 9 a.m. for a holiday toast after the community’s annual Santa Run. 

A tall, beer-bottle-shaped bank known as Big Brown became a staple of the weekly runs. Members would toss spare change or a couple of dollars into Big Brown each week. At the end of the year, they would nominate a worthy charity to receive the funds and guess the amount inside of the bank. Proceeds are donated to the charity chosen by the person whose guess was closest to the actual amount.

The Big Screen

A year after its founding, GBR was featured in a documentary aptly named “Beer Runners.” Directed by Justin Wirtalla, the film focused on the Fishtown Beer Runners but also included scenes from Gettysburg and an interview with Purdy, in which he explained that beer is not the main focus of such groups.

“I think we like being examples of having a beer after you do a run and just enjoying it, not a club who goes and runs just so they can drink beer,” Purdy said in the film. 

The film was screened at The Majestic Theater, and the audience cheered during scenes that featured their historic town.

Purdy’s Legacy

A year ago, Purdy decided his time as the group’s leader was coming to an end. He has always insisted that GBR is a group, not himself, but Wednesday night was fittingly about the group’s revered leader.

“It’s amazing that you work up a little sweat, you have a beer, you sit down next to somebody, and suddenly you are on the same page,” Purdy said prior to his final toast. “I think it’s the right thing, I know it’s the right thing, to turn the page.”

He firmly believes Lazarus and Wright are the right team to continue his legacy. They arrived Wednesday with a GBR-themed cake and stickers to help spread the word about their group.

And those who join GBR in the future may have a chance to meet its legendary founder.

“I’ll be back around, I need this worse than most of you guys do,” Purdy said. 

Wednesday marked the second major recent milestone in Purdy’s life. Besides GBR, he has also been known for driving a white Subaru Outback filled with stickers from various places. The Outback took its last ride a few weeks ago, replaced by a blue Kia Sportage. When he drove to Fourscore on Wednesday, the Sportage’s rear hatch was a blank slate. By the end of the night, it featured a sticker provided by Lazarus and Wright.

“That feels right,” he said.

Still Running

As always, GBR is a fee-free, commitment-free social group open to all. Anyone interested in joining Lazarus, Wright, and occasionally Purdy on Wednesday evenings can learn more on Facebook or www.gettysburgbeerrunners.com.