Runners and walkers looking for company can join other active adults and families every week at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park.
Meet Me in Marana happens every Wednesday at the park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road.
Organized by Marana residents Dave and Michele Hill, Meet Me in Marana was previously Meet Me at Boston's at the Arizona Pavilions.
"We wanted to refresh the event, and the town of Marana was interested in getting involved and I thought we'd give it a try," Dave Hill said.
The community event started in April 2010 to promote health and wellness through running, and to support local businesses.
The Marana Parks & Recreation Department recently partnered with the Hills to help with the event.
The Hills also work with several local businesses and the Southern Arizona Roadrunners to offer the weekly social walk and run.
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Businesses offer discounts to participants and the Hills give out prizes.
Meet Me in Marana kicked off Sept. 7 at its new location.
About 40 people participated in the first Meet Me in Marana event.
Participants dropped by at their leisure to take part in the Sept. 14 event.
Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the official start time is 6 p.m., but walkers and runners can come and go as they please.
The Hills end things at about 7 p.m.
Melinda Faulkner is a regular at the meet-ups.
She has participated in 55 - as of Sept. 14 - of the Marana events.
"I like all of the people," she said. "It's a good place to run."
Faulkner also runs in Oro Valley and along the Rillito River.
Meet Me in Marana runners travel along the Santa Cruz Shared-Use Path. Routes and distances vary based on a participant's preferences.
Walkers seeking to tread lightly can follow a one-mile course through the park.
People interested in hitting their stride can depart ramada 5 at the park and follow the Santa Cruz River Path up and back to Ina Road for a 2.2-mile trip.
Bruce and Terri Ahlf took up running a year ago and haven't looked back.
Bruce is on track to run 1,200 miles this year. He and his wife are members of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners and regularly run half marathons and other races.
He plans to run his first marathon in January.
Part of the 30 to 40 miles he runs per week are knocked off at the Marana event.
He typically runs near his house on the northwest side.
"It's cool because you can meet other runners," he said of the event. "This gives me somewhere different to run to break up the monotony."
meet me in Marana
• What: Social walk and run along the Santa Cruz Shared-Use Path
• When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays; registration starts at 5
• Where: Ramada 5 at the Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road
• Cost: Free
• Contact: Email meetmeinmarana@live.com for more information

