With a winning combination of friends, exercise and beer, Enjoy Oxford began its 10-week Pub Run Series on April 16.

The run’s 49 participants met on the back patio of Left Field Tavern, 12 W. Park Place, to start the 5K. The “run” was actually a walk/run, allowing participants to move at their own pace,
veer off the course if they chose to, and they didn’t even have to finish the course.

The 3.1-mile route circumnavigated Oxford’s Mile Square, going east past the Farmer School of Business, south past the Art Museum and then northwest back to the tavern. However, many participants cut corners, creating more of a Mile Diagonal.

“Don’t feel like you can’t cut corners,” said Jessica Greene, the director of Enjoy Oxford.

The point of the run is to have some fun and enjoy moving around through Oxford, Greene said. The runs will continue every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for 10 weeks, and if you make it every week, you get a free t-shirt.

Most of this week’s participants ran the 5K on their own or with a partner, moving at compatible speeds.

Miami University students Julia Emery and Amy Suttmeier both volunteered to help lead a walking group. This particular group allowed participants to take breathers as needed throughout the course.

“It is both free and a new great option for exercise in Oxford,” said Emery. She and Suttmeier both said they plan to come back next Tuesday.

The runners and the walkers met back on the back patio of the tavern to end the event with discounted food and beverage specials.

The inaugural run’s turnout satisfied Greene. “We were hoping for about 10-20 participants since it is a drop-in run, so we were very pleased with the number.”

Greene said that the new exercise series aims to create entertaining events and stimulate the economy.

As a primary partner for the event with Enjoy Oxford, Left Field Tavern will continue hosting this year’s Pub Run Series. In the future, Enjoy Oxford hopes to switch the event between other establishments in town, Greene said.

Books & Brews, a literature-themed brewery franchise based in Indianapolis, scheduled to open soon at 107 E. Church St., along with Anytime Fitness and TriHealth, also helped sponsor the series.