Lauren Hernandez of The Desert Sun reports that desert residents are invited to lace up their running shoes and hit the streets as part of the 9 Cities / 9 Walks event, running over 9 weeks starting on Aug. 20 and lasting until Oct. 15. The nine weekly walks began as a lead-up to the Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge, a 6K uphill run/walk hosted by the Palm Springs Aerial Tram for the past 31 years, and now, for the first time, the Desert AIDS Walk. 

Although these weekly walks are free, participants are encouraged to bring items geared toward each participating city partner. The first walk on August 20 will take place in Desert Hot Springs at Mission Springs Park. The Boys & Girls Club of Desert Hot Springs is the beneficiary partner for the week, and is asking participants to supply backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. 

A schedule of the nine weekly walks and participating partners follows: 

Week One:

Date: August 20
Location: Mission Springs Park, Desert Hot Springs
Partner: Boys & Girls Clubs of DHS
Items: Backpack drive/school supplies

Week Two: 

Date: August 27
Location: Dennis Keat Soccer Park, Cathedral City
Partner: Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City
Items: Books and school supplies
 

Week Three:

Date: September 3
Location, Indio High School, Indio
Partner: FIND Food Bank
Items: Non-perishable and canned food items
 

Week Four:

Date: September 10
Location: Hyatt Regency, Indian Wells
Partner: Catholic Charities
Items: Food items and canned meats
 
Week Five: 

Date: September 17
Location: Rancho Las Flores, Coachella
Partner: Galilee Center
Items: Canned food and bread
 
Week Six:

Date: September 24
Location: Westin Mission Hill, Rancho Mirage
Partner: Martha's Village & Kitchen
Items: Toiletries and Socks
 
Week Seven:

Date: October 1
Location: Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road, Palm Springs
Partner: Jewish Family Service of the Desert
Items: Toiletry items for seniors
 
Week Eight:

Date: October 8
Location: Wellness Center to La Quinta, La Quinta
Partner: Family YMCA of the Desert
Items: Preschool books and blocks
 
Week Nine:

Date: October 15
Location: The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Palm Desert
Partner: DAP/Revivals
Items: Gently used clothing and furnishings 

When the nine week challenge comes to a close, participants have the choice to face the steep run/walk of 2,000 vertical feet of the Tram Road Challenge at the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, or the Desert AIDS Walk starting at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs. Both events are celebrating their 31st anniversary this year as they join forces with the 9 Cities / 9 Walks. 

To read Lauren Hernandez’s original article, courtesy of The Desert Sun, please visit: http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2016/08/04/lace-up-2016-nine-weekly-walks-start-soon/88049728/