Cheers to Community
To learn the story of Raleigh’s oldest running club, you need to first learn about an Irish Pub that closed over a decade ago:
Tir na nOg.
Tir na nOg circa 2008, Credit: Goodnight Raleigh
Tir na nOg (Irish Gaelic for “Land of the Young”) was an Irish Pub located across from Moore Square. It sat in the space now occupied by Brewery Bhavana.
Afer 18 years, they closed their doors in November of 2015, reopened for a short stint inside the London Bridge Pub, and permanently closed in May of 2017.
But between August 2008 and November 2015, was the start of a social concept that has now taken over every corner of Raleigh.
Tir na nOG Farewell Run circa 2015, Credit: nOG Instagram
Editor’s Note: Pronouncing Tir na nOg
The accent over the “O” should dictate a long sounding O, resulting in Teer-Nah-Nogue.
The run club itself keeps the N silent and capitalizes the OG, presumably because OG, means original.
However, locals I’ve heard say the old name aloud, say Teer-Nah-Nahg.
Let me know what you think over in our — community comments.
The Weekly Run Club
In August of 2008, Elizabeth Pagano read an article in Runner’s World that inspired the idea of starting a run club that, as you can guess, kicked off and built community from a pub.
As her brother, Pete Pagano, was the owner of the Tir na nOg, and she herself was a runner, they already had the pieces to get something started.
Between the years of 2008-2012, the nOG Run Club board noted that on a typical Monday night, the club had nearly 400 people running the streets of Raleigh.
Becoming a Local Non-Profit
In 2012, the nOG run club became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and per their website, has raised over $1 Million between their races, merchandise sales, and donations from the community.
As of 2026, they still host 3 primary races in Raleigh:
Trophy Trot 5K
Day of the Dead 5K
Run for Love 5K
Run for Love 5K, Credit: nOG Run Club
Finding a New Home, Three Times
The growing community, and now successful charity, experienced smooth sailing until 2015, when Tir na nOg closed its doors. For the first time, the group had lost the location they had gathered around for 7 years.
They found a temporary home at The Standard Beer + Food through the late 2010’s but hit yet another roadblock (as we all did), in the year 2020.
A Virtual Downturn
The community moved to virtual-only runs and social media but once the world reopened, people were slow to return to Monday night running.
Then around 2022, they found a new home at Trophy Brewing before settling at their current location (and all-around great spot), The Bend Bar. The community grew again and their 3 yearly races continue to thrive.
The Bend Bar 2025, Credit: nOG Run Club
The nOG Run Club, Still Running
After 18 years running (almost to the day), the club is still building community, grabbing brews, and raising money for some of the best organizations in Raleigh.
The original board, including Elizabeth, stepped away in 2021 but member Alex Warren and 4 other board members have kept the mission of serving as a non-profit alive and well.
How to Join The Monday Run?
If you are new to the area or looking for a great community, consider checking them out at The Bend Bar (853 W Morgan St), every Monday at 6PM.
They cover 3, 4, and 5 mile routes that start and finish at the bar. Plus, most folks tend to hang out for a bit after and socialize or grab a drink.
Meet new folks, get in a run, and say cheers to 18 more years.
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