Participants in 5K offer many reasons for running

Sophie Taggart didn't look at the 3.2 miles ahead of her as a race or a competition. The Deseret News "I am the future 5K" walk was a chance for the 5-year-old to throw candy to those who got up even earlier than she did Friday to snag a seat on the parade route in downtown Salt Lake City.

"This isn't the run," said her mom, Jane Taggart, who carried Sophie's princess backpack full of candy. "We're in the parade."

The Taggarts have participated in the noncompetitive 5K for more than a decade.

"This is fun," she said, admitting they are hikers, not runners.

Paul Taggart said the early morning activity was a great way to start the family's Pioneer Day celebration.

"This is great tradition," he said, "to come down here, go to (Liberty) Park. This is a fun day for those who really want to take advantage of all there is to do."

About 450 people participated in the walk/run that started at EnergySolutions Arena and wound around the Days of '47 Parade route to Liberty Park. Their reasons for running were as different as they were and included honoring a family member who'd drowned 10 years ago, raising money for a hospital that helps children regardless of their ability to pay, spending time with friends, celebrating a birthday and teaching their children a little about the state's history.

Krisit Lee, North Salt Lake, is the Young Women's leader for the Valverda 9th Ward. She was looking for an activity that would be enjoyable and bring her girls together.

"We just wanted to enjoy a group activity," she said of the girls who ranged in age from 13 to 17.

Three of those, Cadence Omana, Melissa Duenas and Lynette Duenas, decided to run together during the 5K, despite varying degrees of enthusiasm for running.

"I'm a swimmer," said Omana, 17. "I'm not so good on land. But this feels good, to push myself."

Melissa Duenas said the group ran a 5K last year and it convinced her to try out for the Woods Cross track team.

"It felt good to push myself," she said after the event. "It felt short."

Added Omana, "It was fun to be here with everyone. The parade people are fun. I got like 20 high-fives. It made me feel like I could run."