On the Road Again: Crewz’n For A Brewz’n is Dover’s run club that helps every member deliver their personal bests.

By Jonathan Esquivel

Bryan Suarez trains people to reach their athletic best, but even he needs someone to keep him fit and focused. So he asked a boyhood friend, Alfonso Nunez-Perez, to run with him.

“We figured if we were going to get right for the summer, we would do it together as friends,” Suarez says. “We were training for a half-marathon, and friends kept asking to join us for a run. It attracted a decent number of people, so we hosted a group run.”

Little did he know that, one year later, the Dover natives and former Dover High School varsity soccer teammates would be lining up on a scorching Saturday morning with a whole squad of committed road warriors.

Suarez and Nunez-Perez were among nearly 40 men and women—and a couple of toddlers—assembled in front of the Diamond Spring Brewing Company in Denville. Everyone was stretching, laughing, lacing up their neon Nikes, Asics, and New Balances, getting in rhythm with the background music. They were kicking off the second season of the Crewz’n for a Brewz’n Run Club. 

Nunez-Perez, head coach of the Saint Elizabeth University men’s soccer team, and Suarez, an athletic trainer employed through the Atlantic Health system, are proud of the community they have built. As the club evolved, they set up a schedule: Tuesday mornings, meet at 5:40 a.m. in front of The Good Bean coffee shop on North Sussex Street in Dover for a 4-mile loop around town. Sunday's session begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Diamond Spring Brewing Company.

The runners organize themselves by the pace they are comfortable with, from the competitive 7-minute-a-milers to a comfortable 12-minute group for runners. Walkers are welcome, too; they walk 2 miles per session, often bringing their dogs to join the fun.  

Post-run, many members share a brew—from coffee on Tuesdays to beers on Sundays—and spend time together before they head off to work or care for their families. They held this special July Saturday run because it coincided with the club’s first anniversary.  

Is that what inspired the name? Not really, Suarez says. “Once we started getting more people, it was clear we would become a club. So we went to a designer to come up with a logo. We didn’t even have a name, but he suggested this. Now, here we are.”

“I can’t believe we have gotten this far,” Nunez-Perez says. “People bring their friends, family members, and pets.” Over the year, the Crewz’n club, which Suarez estimates to have 100 members, boasts members from Randolph, Mine Hill, Jefferson, and surrounding towns.

“My friend mentioned that there was a new run club in town, where everyone would run and go for a beer after,” says Valentina Ramirez of Wharton. “It was the first I heard of it, but I decided that was my type of club. I’ve met many new people, and it’s super fun. I feel great because everyone here is so great!”

FUN AT ANY AGE

Every member of the club stresses the family-like bond among members. A few mean it literally.

“Honestly, it has become a large part of my life,” says Jefferson resident Amy Hoffnagle. “I am a mom of twin 5-year-olds and work full-time as a teacher. Finding time for myself or to run can sometimes be challenging. Having other people to keep me motivated and inspire me to be better is something that I am truly grateful for. My husband, Nick, is also part of the crew, and we run with our kids.” 

Amy and Nick pushed their children, Calleigh and Anthony, in a double stroller to celebrate the "Crewz’n" club’s anniversary and its impact on them.

"We hope to soon have the endurance and confidence to run a marathon together one day," Amy says. "With the support and encouragement from the crew, I was able to train and qualify for the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon. I am also training to run the New York City Marathon in November. If it weren't for this crew, I would not have the drive or motivation I have today.”

Katherine Castaño dominated the Crewz’n club’s 5K (3.1-mile) anniversary race, finishing in 20:37. The Parsippany resident was an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I track athlete at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark and is thrilled to keep running in a more casual setting.

“This is more than a community. This is a family,” says Castaño, who also runs with frvd.run, a run club based out of Morristown, New Jersey. 

You don’t have to be an NCAA-tested runner to show up. Just lace up a pair of sneakers, commit to getting active, and embrace the chance to be supported by club members.

“After being a year with Crewz’n, I’ve developed many friendships,” says Mine Hill resident Taylor Sultanov. “Honestly, a lot of these friendships have become a second family. It was really nice to stumble upon the run club through an Instagram post by The Good Bean. I was super lucky to find such an amazing group of people who have pushed me to some amazing things, including running my first half-marathon, which I would never have thought I would do.”

“Everyone here made me feel welcome from the beginning,” says Camila Martorelli. “They're always encouraging you to be the best version of yourself.”

The club’s family-style support structure recently empowered 14 members to complete the 13.1-mile Brooklyn Experience Half-Marathon. Over 14 members participated in the event, many breaking personal records, and other members cheered with signs from the sidelines.

“Brooklyn was amazing,” Suarez says. “Months ago, it brought everyone together to train. It was beautiful when we all crossed the finish line. It was beautiful, and I’ll never forget that.”

Once members have accomplished personal or club goals, they all get together at their next early-morning session and come up with the next milestone to achieve together.

“You know, there’s something about being up early that makes you feel good,” Suarez says one Tuesday morning. “The sunrise when I drive in feels good; the fresh air once we run feels good, and most importantly, once we all finish and hang out, it feels even better.”

*****************************************

CRUCIAL CREWZ’N STATS

WHO Crewz’n For A Brewz’n Run Club

WHAT Dover-based running club, with 100 members.

WHEN & WHERE Tuesdays: 5:40 a.m., in front of The Good Bean; Sundays: Diamond Spring Brewing Company, Denville; Workouts: Scheduled as needed

CONNECT: crewz’nforabrewz’n@gmail.com; FB: crewz’nforabrewzn; IG: crewznforabrewzn_rc