In about a week, the Durham Recreation Department is slated to begin the 19th year of the Summer Fun Run, an event that offers runners of all ages a chance to gather and compete.

Durham resident and Mercy High School track coach John Hastings started the Fun Run 19 years ago after seeing similar informal running events being held in other towns.

"The goal for younger kids is to get them introduced to running in a fun way," Hastings said. "We don't overemphasize the competitive aspect of it for them."

For teens and adults, the Fun Run offers a friendly, competitive atmosphere without the usual costs of entering a race. "They come see their friends every week," Hastings said. "They have fun."

On Tuesday, July 1, the event kicks off another eight-week season. The Fun Run will be held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Coginchaug High School track.

The Fun Run is open to people from any town, Hastings said. Last year, the event experienced a real surge in participants, averaging about 100 people each week. At least half of the runners were kids, he said.

There is a race for kids four and under, which goes once around the track, usually with accompaniment from parents. Other race categories are 5 to 7-year-olds, 8 to 10-year-olds, and 11 to 14-year-olds. For teens and adults there is a two-mile run and a 3.3-mile race.

Winners are declared in every race, and all children are given ribbons - from first to sixth place ribbons to participant ribbons.

This year, Durham's Torrison Stone and Garden has teamed up with United Concrete of Wallingford and Trinity Builders of Durham, to sponsor the Fun Run events. They will be providing T-shirts for every child who participates, as well as providing water for the runners.

"Seeing how much fun the kids had last year, we wanted to be a part of it this year," said Torrison's Tyler Gerry.

Gerry said the owners of three companies sponsoring the Fun Run are all from Durham and have children that are the same age who participate in the summertime event.

Donations from the sponsors and anyone else who would like to contribute will be put toward efforts to rebuild the athletic complex, including the track, at the high school.

Hastings said he started the Fun Run when his kids were young, and he has since seen it go through different generations. With invaluable help from his wife Jackie, Hastings said he has a lot of fun running the event.

This year Hastings will also get help from some of the Durham Recreation summer employees, and always finds that parents are willing to pitch in when he needs it. He attributes the Fun Run's popularity and success to the community spirit it inspires.

"There's a nice spirit to it, and that's what makes it good," Hastings said.

For more information, call John Hastings at (860) 349-1863.