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SALT LAKE CITY — While some people enjoy sleeping in on Thanksgiving, thousands of Utahns will get out of bed early Thursday to run in the 9th annual Utah Human Race. The benefit for the Utah Food Bank has grown from about 750 runners back in 2006 to nearly 6,000 runners.
"We are excited to run it," said Sam Larson, who was picking up his race registration and T-shirt with his six-year-old daughter, Edna. "We do it every year."
A steady stream of runners stopped in at the Utah Food Bank to pick up their race packets Wednesday. Families, friends and co-workers will toe the line at the Draper Outlet Mall for what has become the state's biggest Thanksgiving 5K and 10K.
"We've got two other families that are running with us," said Larson. "It's turned into a family tradition."
He and his daughter want to stay fit during the holidays, but they are also eager to help neighbors in need. Edna said she wanted to help make sure everyone has food to eat.
"Because people won't get food, and then they will be starving," she said.
One in five Utah children do not know where their next meal is coming from, according to the Utah Food Bank.
"It's still an incredible need," said Ginette Bott, chief development officer for the Utah Food Bank.
These families are working two or three part-time jobs. They're trying to make ends meet. Food is always the last thing in their budget that's addressed by family. So they are still utilizing the pantries.
–Ginette Bott, chief development officer for the Utah Food Bank
From what they see at the food bank, Bott said most Utah families are back on their feet after of the recession, but many still need help. The food bank is not seeing any decrease in the demand for emergency food.
"These families are working two or three part-time jobs," she said. "They're trying to make ends meet. Food is always the last thing in their budget that's addressed by family. So they are still utilizing the pantries."
The sponsorship and registration money goes directly to the food bank and adds up to approximately 375,000 meals. This means each participant will have a direct impact on hungry people across the state.
Race founders Phil and Heather Goold remember the first race morning.
"We were ready for 500, (but) people just kept coming and coming," Phil Gool said. "We ran out of food. We ran out of racer bibs. It was just a great way to start."
They're both amazed at how the event has grown. They came up with the idea after running in an annual event in Sacramento, California.
"Every year it would double in registration," said Heather Goold. "So we are very pleased it's growing and such a benefit to those who need it."
On the food bank loading dock, donors kept the food rolling in all afternoon. The Utah Food Bank helps stock 134 emergency food pantries across Utah. Last year, it distributed 37.5 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of more than 31 million meals.
There's no race day registration, so if runners are not already registered, they're not running this year. People still eager to participate can show up to cheer and donate food or money to the Utah Food Bank. The food bank always needs food, volunteer time and money. It can turn $1 into $7 of purchasing power.
"It's a fun morning," said Bott, who will be at the race bright and early. "It's a way for us to say, 'Thank you.' But it's also a way for others to gather and really take time to appreciate what they have."
