Love is on the run for busy Gainesville professionals.

Pre-dating, also known as speed dating, had its first two sessions Monday at Emerald’s Lounge in Thornebrook Village for busy professionals who don’t have time to go on a real date.

The 24- to 34-year-olds and 35- to 49-year-olds came because they only have time to test-drive potential dates.

“Pre-dating is marketed to single professionals,” said Marcia Winter, the coordinator for pre-dating events in Gainesville and Ocala.

It is difficult to find someone in a college town if singles want to go beyond students but don’t know where to look, she said.

Winter said she has done pre-dating before but has had no luck.

“No perfect long match,” she said. “I have to say it’s a ton of fun and worthwhile compared to Internet dating.”

Pre-dating Events was started in South Florida in 2001. Now there are more than 55 cities that host pre-dating with special-interest events, bringing professionals together to meet potential matches.

“We don’t have a screening process, so it is everyday individuals,” Winter said. “It is safe, though.”

Joe Belgrade, an insurance agent, said he came because there aren’t a lot of people in his age in Gainesville.

“You can go to the bars, but that doesn’t really work that well,” he said. “The majority of single women don’t go out. They stay home.”

Twelve women and men had only six minutes to get to know each other. Pre-daters are given name tags and match sheets at the event, which they fill out after each 6-minute meeting.

If there is a mutual interest between two matches, each person is sent an e-mail to allow for an actual date.

Winter said she has about a 70 percent match rate.

Elizabeth Mixon, a massage therapist, said it’s tough to get out because she works at home.

“I’d be ecstatic at this point just to find somebody that I can have a fun time with and that can meet me on the same wavelength,” she said.