Third Thursday Fit Night, sponsored by Brown Shoe Fit Co., offers runners and walkers the opportunity to cover a five mile route in eastern Fort Dodge.

Being a star athlete is not required to participate.

”Any and all athletic abilities can come to Fit Night,” said Craig Jarrard, the owner and manager of Brown Shoe Fit Co.

”It’s not a race,” he said. ”It’s not timed. We’ve tried to make it more about the social aspect and just getting out there and getting moving.”

As its name implies, the walk/run is held on the third Thursday of each month, starting in April and concluding in October.

Participants gather at Brown Shoe Fit Co., 210 S. 25th St., at about 5:30 p.m. The walk/run starts at 6 p.m.

The route goes south on 25th Street, east on Fifth Avenue South, north on 32nd Street and then west on 10th Avenue North to Fort Dodge Senior High School. At the high school, participants will turn around and retrace their steps back to the store. The entire route is five miles, but people can complete any portion of it that they wish to.

Back at Brown Shoe Fit Co., there will be food and promotions from various local businesses.

Third Thursday Fit Night started in 2014.

”We wanted to have a walk, run, fitness night,” Jarrard said.

He said at that time the sidewalks in the retail area on the city’s east side were brand new.

Since then, each Third Thursday Fit Night has attracted an average of 200 people, according to Jarrad.

If you go

What: Third Thursday Fit Night

When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Brown Shoe Fit Co., 210 S. 25th St.