On June 4th, 2025, my husband Terry and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in an unconventional yet unforgettable way—by participating in a local Global Running Day event in Wilmington, North Carolina. Instead of a fancy dinner or a quiet evening out, we chose to put on our running shoes and join hundreds of local runners in a celebration of community, movement, and purpose.
The event, hosted by Wilmington’s Fleet Feet and supported by local running clubs, took place at a brewery (Flying Machine Brewing) that we had discovered during a visit earlier this year. The energy was high from the moment we arrived—runners of all ages and levels were gathering, chatting, stretching, trying on demo shoes, and exploring vendor booths. The warm, steamy evening felt exactly like June in coastal North Carolina, but we were lucky—it wasn’t as hot as it could have been.
The run offered both a 3.1-mile and a 4-mile route, mapped out on Strava and winding through part of the Virginia Pearson Empie Park trail. Some runners even extended their route beyond four miles, taking full advantage of the beautiful trail system. Before the run began, the Fleet Feet owner welcomed the crowd and shared information about the event’s sponsors and the running camp scholarships the proceeds would support—an inspiring reminder of the impact the running community can have.
At around 6 p.m., with little ceremony but much enthusiasm, the crowd took to the trail. Avid runners surged ahead, others took a steady pace, and many chose to walk and chat—truly a reflection of the inclusive spirit of the running community.
Post-run, the brewery buzzed with energy. Runners lined up for cold beers and dinner from a food truck, laughter and cheers filled the air, and raffle prizes added to the excitement. I was thrilled to win a recovery basket from Paradigm Performance Therapy—a perfect anniversary treat! We even got to meet Robyn Godfrey, author and runner! She is a Six Star Finisher… meaning she has run 6 of the world marathon majors! Click HERE if you are interested in reading her book, Running the World: A Runner’s Odyssey of Struggle and Triumph in the World Marathon Majors.
While it wasn’t the glamorous celebration some might expect for a milestone anniversary, it was everything we wanted: active, joyful, meaningful, and shared in a place we love, doing something we’ve grown to love together.
