DECATUR - A brief afternoon rain shower and swarming mosquitoes couldn't deter more than two dozen runners of all ages from taking part in races at Fairview Park on Sunday.

The 2008 Fall Park Runs kicked off this weekend and continue each Sunday at 4 p.m. until Oct. 25 with timed races of one, three and occasionally even six miles.

"It's just a good thing for our community," said Mike Landacre, coordinator of the races.

Landacre, who is a coach for the Staley Striders Cross Country youth indoor running program and a track and cross country coach at Johns Hill Magnet School, said while the event attracts runners of all ages and running abilities, he hopes they can help spur an interest in running among young people.

That seemed to be the case for many of the younger runners, including Forest Jacobson, 11, who said she got started running thanks to encouragement from her P.E. teacher but now runs cross country at Johns Hill and hopes it's a habit that sticks with her through adulthood.

"You can do it all through your life," Jacobson said. "It keeps you in great shape."

The races give runners who pay a $1 entry fee the opportunity to run in laid-back but timed contests along the bike path at Fairview Park, where youth receive ribbons and become eligible for prizes by participating.

The events can also give fitness-conscious parents the chance to do something healthy with their children.

Frequent racer Allison Hinch joined her daughter Alena, 10, in participating in Sunday's event, though the mother ran in the three-mile event while her daughter ran in the mile. But even adults without children participating said the races are worth running.

Bill Weiss said he has been participating in the summer and fall runs for the past two years and finds them a nice change of pace from his indoor running at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center throughout the year.

Weiss and other racers said they enjoy running especially during the fall because of the cooler weather and more colorful foliage the season brings, especially in such places as Fairview Park.

"We probably don't appreciate how beautiful our parks are," Landacre said.

If people are interested in more information about the 2008 Fall Park Runs, they can contact Landacre at 875-3429 for more information.

mtallon@herald-review.com|421-7984