By Matt Wood/Senior Staff Writer

In an effort to bring people together to exercise, socialize and maybe drink a little, UNT graduate Tony Roman started the Denton Social Run with the Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor.

Roman was in the Coast Guard before moving to Denton and had always been a runner, but he noticed there wasn’t a social run in town. So in April 2013, he coordinated with OSDH&CP to put together a weekly run that started out with 20 people and now pulls in up to 300 runners.

Roman said the social aspect helps people relax and just enjoy the run instead of making it a race.

“It takes a lot of pressure off people,” he said. “We have sponsored athletes and we have people from the UNT track team, but we also have people who are coming off the couch and running for the first time.”

For anyone interested, Roman said all are welcome and that the event encourages everyone to come out and meet new people.

“Don’t be intimidated to come out,” he said. “You don’t have to be in the best shape. You find people you can run with and make friends at the same time.”

Just as the run is about to start, Roman climbed on the front porch railing of OSDH&CP and hung slightly off one of the posts.

“Alright,” he says to the crowd. “We’re going to cross Carroll here. Everyone use your heads, be safe. Let’s go!”

With that, he hopped down and led the crowd of more than 100 runners on their route through Denton.

Featured Image: Participants in Oak Street Draft House & Cocktail Parlor’s weekly 5K jog down McKinney Street near the beginning of their route. Photo by Matt Wood – Senior Staff Writer

Social Run organizer and founder Tony Roman explains the 5K route for this week’s run to the crowd at Oak Street Draft House. The weekly run begins at 7p.m. every Wednesday.



Runners turn the corner on McKinney Street during the first leg of the Denton Social Run hosted by Oak Street Draft House. Participants run a 5K route that starts and finishes at the bar.



Runners sign in for the weekly Denton Social Run Wednesday evening at Oak Street Draft House & Cocktail Parlor. More than 100 runners attended the event.

Featured Image: Participants in Oak Street Draft House & Cocktail Parlor’s weekly 5K jog down McKinney Street near the beginning of their route. All photos by Matt Wood – Senior Staff Writer