Monday's Deseret Morning News 5K served as a warm-up for Zack Poulsen, who runs cross country at his school.

Next is the 10K, and then someday, the marathon.

Those plans, however, wouldn't be considered average goals for a 7-year-old.

"(I liked) the whole time," Zack said after the completion of the untimed race.

His mother, Talli, who has been an avid recreational runner for at least 15 years, enjoyed participating side-by-side with her husband and oldest son.

"It was awesome," she said. "Watching the people cheer him (Zack) on and you would see a little boost of energy (in him). It was awesome."

Poulsen, along with his mother and father, Jeremy, completed their first 5K together, which, they hope, will be the first of many.

"We're going to run the 10K next year," Talli said.

When making plans for vacation in Utah, Talli searched the Internet and found the run and then broke the news to the rest of the family.

"I dragged them out and said we're running a 5K," Talli said. "This is the first time we have run together (in a race)."

For the last couple of months, the Poulsen trio, along with Zack's siblings Abby, 4, and Megan, nine months, have been training on a three-mile course near their home in Michigan in preparation for the family's inaugural event.

The Poulsen family completes the three-mile circuit nearly every day.

It served more purposes than just family time, though.

"I told her I would like to get into shape, and that was it," Jeremy said. "As soon as I got home from work the next day she was ready with the kids in the jogging stroller ready to go."

The Poulsens were just one of many families and individuals participating in the Pioneer Day fun-run.

Cottonwood Heights resident Verna Askwig and her 16-year-old daughter, Ashley, ran in the first of three planned 5K races together this year. The next two races, however, will be fund-raising events for families of persons serving in the National Guard, and for children's justice.

---

E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com