When Rhielle Widders needed a capstone project to finish her Parks & Recreation bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah last year, she turned to her favorite diversion.

To finish her degree, she needed a full-time internship on her transcript. She chose the entrepreneurial route and started the Park City Mini Trail Series runs, put on by R-U-N? Events.

It’s a 5K, 10K and 15K trail-running series which starts and ends in the Quinn’s Junction area. The series is run on the Round Valley trails. Now in its second year, the series’ first of three events is scheduled to take place June 25. The other races are scheduled for July 9 and August 13.

“It’s designed for trail runners of all experience levels,” she said of her race. “The courses are pretty easy and they’re good experience.”

Growing up in Orem, Widders said she became a trail-running addict, finding all sorts of new routes around Provo Canyon.

The creation of the series, which coincided with the completion of her degree, went along with what she has always wanted to do: introduce the idea of nature running to more people.

“I always wondered what made it so different for me,” she said. “I love trail running far and away better than road running or being in a gym. When I was creating this, I really thought about it. I found some research saying that running in green areas actually helps the brain.

“It also showed exercise is one of the only ways to create new brain cells after the age of 30.”

Widders said official trail running means avoiding any sort of man-made surface.

Widders said she’d like to see some improvements in the race this year, but knows she has to be realistic.

“Of course I have a number I want to hit, in my head,” she said. “It’s one of those little fantasies everyone has. My No. 1 goal is to provide people a chance to learn how to trail run; for people to learn in a really organized venue.”

She added: “I’m looking forward to seeing some growth. I’ve already seen some minor growth in the series. I’m looking forward to getting some money to donate to Mountain Trails (Foundation).”

Widders, who lives near Jordanelle Reservoir with her husband, says she couldn’t be in a better place and calls Park City “a trail-running mecca.”

Rather than give away T-shirts, she said they give away pint glasses to the top racers.

“People go wild over these things,” she said. “People just love them.”

Widders said that last year about 20 percent of the athletes who competed in the races had never done a trail run before.

“Trail running helps, and can actually change you,” she said.

For more info on the Park City Mini Trail Series and R-U-N? Events, go to www.r-u-nevents.com .