Emma Pitts writes: "On Wednesday morning, before the Pioneer Day Parade commenced, runners from around the United States participated in the 54th annual Deseret News Marathon. In the longest-operating race in the state, athletes ran along the historic pioneer trail down into Salt Lake Valley and through the parade route.

"Those who crossed the finish line in Liberty Park — whether in the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K or 1K — were cheered on by thousands gathered for the event. For some seasoned runners, this was just another Wednesday morning, but for others, this was just the beginning of their running career.

"This year, the Deseret News Marathon hosted its first-ever Family 1K race. Families, children and friends who participated in the event ended their last 200 meters with the other marathoners, getting a piece of the action as they crossed the finish line."

Read more about Wednesday's races.

President Biden says the time to ‘pass the torch’ is now in Oval Office address

More in Utah

• Watch the moment when Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics (Deseret News) 
• Inside the last-minute drama that brought changes to Utah’s Olympics bid (Deseret News)

• Antelope Island State Park reopens day after grass fire (KSL)

• Days of '47 celebrates historic and modern pioneers (KSL)

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Faith

• Church of Jesus Christ releases statement: 'We stand ready to support the 2034 Olympic Games' (Deseret News)

Politics

• Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Political earthquakes shake up presidential race (Deseret News)
• 'I was not voting before, now I am': gen Z voters on what they think of Kamala Harris (The Guardian)

• Utah representatives applaud Israel’s prime minister for conveying a unifying message in Congress (Deseret News)

The U.S.

• Explosion at Yellowstone National Park damages boardwalk. Here’s what’s next (Deseret News)

• Police pepper-spray and arrest demonstrators protesting outsides the Capitol (NBC News)

The World

• Relatives of Israeli hostages want cease-fire deal from Netanyahu speech (NPR)

• New wave of North Korean trash balloons hits U.S. Army base and Seoul presidential compound (CBS News)

Sports

• How securing the 2024 Olympics will help Utah's next generation of athletes (Deseret News)
• Kevin Young swings for the fence as BYU extends recruiting net (Deseret News)
• Slumbering Texas Tech is due for a breakout season. Can the 2024 Red Raiders deliver? (Deseret News)

• BYU among the top schools in the country when it comes to sending runners to the Olympics (Deseret News)

Deseret News Marathon 

• Anthony Williams, Janel Zick win Deseret News marathon (Deseret News)
• Kevin Kirk, Madey Dickson beat out the competition in the Deseret News half marathon (Deseret News) 
• Habtamu Cheney, Savannah Berry claim Deseret News 10K titles (Deseret News)
• Young runners dominate Deseret News 5K (Deseret News)