Running with a side of coffee?
Get ready to lace up those running shoes, as Foam Coffee  stepped out from behind the counter to host their first 5k running club on Jan. 13.

According to owner Saidy Troha, the idea was inspired by an employee who had the idea to further connect with the community through physical exercise.

"One of my employees had the idea, and I had seen the concept from other coffee shops we follow on social media," Troha said. "There was way more interest from people than I thought, and everyone seems very interested in it."

Troha said taking part in the club isn't intended to be a serious commitment, just another way to bring the community together.

"It's all for fun to get people outside and get the community together in a different way" Troha said. "It isn't a race or competition, and people don't even need to sign up. Everyone can go at their own pace, and dogs, kids and bikes are welcome."

While only one date has been announced so far, Troha said the coffee shop plans to host at least one run club event per month.

"We are seeing how this one goes, but everyone seems very interested right now," Troha said. "We are hoping to have one once a month, probably on the second to last Saturday of every month. When it gets warmer in the spring and summer, we may have them more consistently."

As for the course, Troha said runners will start at Foam and continue through Gulf State Park before looping back.

"We are playing it by ear, but we want to keep it on that side of the neighborhood so it goes down the school road, down the state park through the walking trail and then loops back through the neighborhood behind Foam," Troha said.

That's not all. Troha said participating runners will also receive a 10% discount for any menu item.

"We may even do special merch eventually. We are planning to have some fun stuff. We would love to have some sponsors if any businesses want to get involved," Troha said. "This is really just supposed to be fun, and I'm excited because I'm not a runner but I think having something like this is a great way to get people outside. Being with the community and a bunch of people running and going back to Foam to drink coffee and hangout is my dream situation."