The gun sounded and throngs of people ran for their lives Saturday.
The throngs were fitness enthusiasts who were participating in the eighth annual Governor's Cup Fun Run, designed to kick of the 1989 running season and promote physical fitness."It's a spring coming out race," said race official Ron Daniels.
"This is probably the largest crowd that we've ever had," he said. Some 410 men and 250 women participated in the 5K run that began on the front steps of the Capitol.
More than 160 children, aged 2 through 12, began the festivities with their own mile run. Then afterward, the older folks (11 to 70 something) had their turn running the 5K course.
The weather was perfect for running, complete with clouds to keep the sun from beating down on the runners - at least until the race was over.
"I run every day and just figured I might as well run and get a T-shirt to show for it," said runner Ron Larsen of Sandy.
"We're here because we like to run races," said Tiffany Powell, 13. She and Yvonne Howe, 13, and Wendy Powell, 14, participated in the run last year and finished first, second and third in their category.
"We hope to do it again this year," Howe said before the race.
State employees participating in the race had an extra incentive. They were competing for the Governor's Cup - an honor given to the state division that has the most employees participate.
The state's No. 2 man, Lt. Gov. Val Oveson, replaced his usual suit and tie with shorts and a T-shirt for the run and said he is a firm believer in such events that encourage healthy lifestyles.
Oveson said he first began jogging in preparation for last year's Fun Run and has since lost 50 pounds.
"I finally caught the light and started running," he said. "It's been a wonderful change in my lifestyle." Saturday, Oveson finished the run in 246th place - "a whole lot better than last year," he said.
Twelve-year-old Anthony Strong was the overall top male finisher in the mile race with a time of 5:52. Anne Perrin, 11, was the top female finisher in the kids' mile race, and then turned around and competed in the 5K race, where she was the 20th female to cross the finish line.
Look out, Florence Griffith Joyner!
In the 5K race, the top finisher was - surprise - Demetrio Cabanillas, a well-known runner and nine-time winner of the annual Deseret News marathon. He finished with a time of 15:17.
"I just wanted to see what I could do," said Cabanillas, who is preparing for the New Jersey Waterfront Marathon next week. Kathy Jones was the overall first-place female runner with a time of 19:55.
The top male and female 5K finishers in each age division were: Brian Schaus, Mark Jolly, David Faerber, Carl Hanson, Gordon Hyde, David Knoop, Greg Stromberg, Don French, Stephen Lester, Clare Wardle, Charles Edwards, Paul Moore, John Cahill, Ben Hornok, Matt Glazier, Eric DeMillard, Wendy Hutchings, Cathy Jolly, Rachel Fisher, Lorie Hutcheson, Mary Beacco, Colleen Hoffman, Ellie Arguello, Karolynn Braden, Edna Staley, Jenny Poulson, Lois Sjoblon, Liza Vainerman and Sharon Frenette.
In the Kid's Race, the male and female winners in each division were: Rhett Anderson, Nate Silverstein, David Larsen, Rhett Davis, Wyatt Davis, Luciano Ramos, Ashley Smith, Caroline Jolley, Jill Springer, Sara Wikstrom and Amber Hornok.