In Randy Accetta's eyes, the city of Tucson isn't quite as cool as it could be.
So seven years ago he created the Meet Me Downtown 5K Night Run, with an eye on adding a fun event to Tucson's scalding-hot summer months. Tonight's race starts at 7 p.m. downtown, and will be followed by an after-party.
"Tucson is capable of being a cool town," Accetta said. "But it needs things like these events to bring people together and have stuff for us to do."
Here's a look at the annual race, and everything you need to know if you're going to walk, run - or simply party.
What it is
In short, the Meet Me Downtown 5K is a 3.1-mile run and walk for people of all ages and skill levels. Accetta estimates that tonight's race will draw more than 2,000 participants, and there is $1,200-plus in prize money for the top runners. The walk/run starts and finishes at the Children's Museum Tucson in the heart of downtown.
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Money raised through the competition benefits Cox Charities, Child and Family Resources, the Children's Museum, the Tucson Art Museum, Greater Tucson Leadership, Educational Enrichment Foundation, and more.
There's plenty to do, during and after the race.
A live band will play music at the event, and a local performance group called Cirque Roots will perform what Accetta described as "an acrobatic fire show."
"Plus," he said, "we have a beer garden. Any time you have a beer garden, it automatically makes it more fun."
The race will be followed by an after-party at Hotel Congress. Everyone who runs in the 5K will get discounts on drinks, which is one of the reasons Accetta thinks this event is so unique and, well, fun.
"It's like a festival with running," Accetta said. "Basically it's a downtown party. The price of admission is you have to go get tired and sweaty."
The competition
While anyone can sign up to run in the race, that doesn't in any way reflect on the runner's abilities at the top of the race. In the event's seven-year history, there's always been talented runners taking the crown.
The first two races were won by former UA runner Jason Colavito; in the last two years, it was won by Ian Burrell, a UA law graduate.
Last year, for the women, former UA distance runner Maggie Callahan set the course record.
Local great Craig Curley will run, and Accetta expects Burrell to be there again. Accetta is hopeful that Polly Campbell, a Tucson resident and past winner of the Tucson and Mount Lemmon marathons, would participate as well.
"We've had some good runners," Accetta said.
Friday night, Accetta welcomed a special guest to the proceedings at a pre-race registration event.
Lorraine Moller, an Olympic bronze medalist and winner of the 1984 Boston Marathon, spoke with registrants and did a book signing.
Moller won't be participating to win, but "she's gonna run," Accetta said.
On StarNet: Use the hashtag #meetme5K while Tweeting about your experience at the 5K and uploading photos to Instagram. StarNet will automatically grab your Tweets and pictures and integrate them to the live blog as you post them. Check out the live blog tonight at live.azstarnet.com
4 things to do in Tucson in June
When temperatures start hitting triple digits, the first instinct is to stay home.
Don't.
Here are four things going on in the Tucson sports scene during June:
1. Tucson Padres: San Diego's Triple-A affiliate has 12 home games at Kino Stadium this month, including $1 beer nights on Thursdays, fireworks on June 15 and dollar hot dogs on June 19.
2. FC Tucson: Tucson's amateur soccer team is pretty good, fun to watch, and tickets are cheap. The club plays at Kino Sports Complex North Field No. 5, and will host five games this month.
3. Tucson Summer Pro League: The TSPL begins its 10th season of basketball competition under Corey Williams, a former UA basketball player and the league's director, on June 15. Notable Wildcats past and present have been known to make an appearance in the league, as it is NCAA-sanctioned. Games take place at St. Gregory's College Prep on Craycroft Road, north of Fort Lowell Road.
4. Father's Day Weekend Golf Classic: It's not exactly cheap ($175 per person), but this golf event on June 15 is for a good cause - the proceeds benefit programs at Children's Museum Tucson. Eighteen holes at La Paloma Country Club would make a nice gift for dad.
Today
• What: Meet Me Downtown 5K Night Run
• Where: Race begins and ends at Children's Museum Tucson at 200 S. 6th Ave.
• When: Race starts at 7 p.m.
