Some walked, some ran, while others pushed strollers to the finish line. No matter what their particular circumstances were, they all seemed to enjoy the carefree workout provided by the "I am the Future" 5K.

"I can't imagine a better activity to get young people excited about running," said former marathoner Kraig Graham. He ran the course with his 11-year-old daughter, Sierra, and both agreed that it was energizing to hear cheers and slap hands with spectators on the sidelines.

"You're running down the parade route ... people are giving you high-fives ... people are yelling 'good job.' It really gets you pumped up," Graham said.

The noncompetitive walk was a preliminary event leading up to the completion of the Deseret Morning News/KJZZ TV marathon. The casual 5K started on 300 West and South Temple near EnergySolutions Arena. Participants walked or ran east to Liberty Park and the finish line.

Salt Lake City resident and avid walker John Nash wanted to test himself against a large group of walkers, even though the field was not being timed.

"It was good. I enjoyed it," said the 63-year old. "You know, I do a lot of walking, (I thought) why not go into this? Not so much as competition but as an activity,"

He too loved the response participants received as they made their way through the course.

"Yeah, we had some people clapping for us. That was nice." he said afterward.

But there were others in the field who couldn't run or walk. Two-year-old Cody Lowell of Farmington was born with a condition that prohibits the use of the joints in his legs. With the aid of a stroller and a family friend, the two completed the course together.

"Cody may not ever be able to walk. I'm doing it with him so he can do a race," said Jennifer Whiting, a former Viewmont runner.

After checking every quarter mile with her jogging companion, she knew Cody's first 5K experience as a participant went off without a hitch.

"He had a smile on his face," Whiting said. "The people cheering made him happy."

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E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com