An early morning walk or run along the Old Spanish Trail is being held Sunday to benefit a local environmental group and Saguaro National Park.
"It's an opportunity to protect your health and the health of your environment,'' said Annie Wallace, the new director of the Rincon Institute. She said runners and walkers will certainly enjoy the "absolutely gorgeous" views along the race route.
The Rincon Institute is a homegrown conservation group that started in 1991 to help ensure the Rocking K development near Saguaro National Park East was constructed in an environmentally friendly way.
The nonprofit institute has since expanded its role but stayed locally based. The group concentrates mainly on land and development east of Houghton Road and north of Interstate 10 on Tucson's East Side.
Sunday's race begins at the Rincon Valley Farmers Market, which is one of the Institute's projects. The market features vendors and farmers who set up shop at the roadside market year-round.
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Wallace started as director last month. She said she had been working as an environmental planner for a landscape firm and is finishing a master's degree in planning with a focus on environmental and healthy city planning.
Wallace said she was attracted to the job because of the conservation work the institute does.
"I like the concept of working with residents on how they can protect their property and the land in their community,'' she said.
Often partnering with the National Park Service, the institute conducts ecological research to help people make decisions about land use.
In addition to ecological research, the institute provides guided nature walks, plans to compose a "state of Rincon Valley" report each spring and provides educational outreach.
The institute often partners with Saguaro National Park, Colossal Cave and the Vail Unified School District.
East Side
What: Everyone Runs Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk
When: The race begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Race day registration will be available from 6 to 7 a.m.
Where: 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail.
For more information, call 797-7867(RUNS) or log on at www.everyoneruns.net. Registration forms are available online. Registration for the race is $40.
