Students can now pound the pavement with other runners twice a week as part of a new running group called Jews in Shoes, which organizers said may spice up the running scene at GW.

GW sophomores Aaron Bernay and Healey Sutton created the running group, which will hold two runs a week throughout the semester.

“We have not determined when our mid-week run will be, but our weekend runs will be held on Sunday afternoons usually around 1:30 p.m.,” Bernay said.

Bernay said to his knowledge it is the first organized running group at GW. Although Jews in Shoes is not an officially registered student group, Bernay and Sutton said they hope the group will become official next year, if it is successful in the next few weeks.

Bernay said the group provides motivation and companionship for solo runners as well as a change of scenery for runners who want to “get out and see the city.”

“You don’t have to be Jewish to join Jews in Shoes,” Bernay said.

He said runs are determined based on the skill level of the entire group on a particular day.

“How far we go all depends on who shows up,” Bernay said. “It doesn’t matter how good you are at running.”

The group will focus on trail running and avoid city running as much as possible. Bernay said he will try to expand the group’s runs to weekdays.

“We’ll definitely run to the (National) Mall, the Georgetown canal and Theodore Roosevelt Island, maybe even into Rosslyn,” he said.

One of the group’s goals is to get students to run the Sallie Mae 10K race for charity April 25. Hillel will sponsor Jews in Shoes, and Sallie Mae will match the funds the group raises, Bernay said.

“This is an awesome run,” he said. “I hope we can get as many people as possible to enter the race. It’s not so much about competition as it is just a fun thing to do and a chance to help the community.”

Five students showed up for the group’s first run to Roosevelt Island Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

“I really enjoy running and meeting other people,” said freshman Adam Brennemen. “I hope to come back next time and complete the run without walking.”

For more information, contact Aaron Bernay ([email protected]) or Healey Sutton ([email protected]).