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The motivation for each participant in Saturday's 14th annual Alaska Airlines Salt Lake City Marathon races is different.
In the case of Team Red, White and Blue, a veteran's group running a relay over the marathon course, the purpose is to support veterans and show patriotism.
According to Jason Comstock, volunteer leader of the 475-member Utah chapter of the national organization, 45 veterans or family members will pass an American flag to each other over the course of the race and all finish together.
"Because of our military background, we don't want to leave anybody behind," Comstock said.
Veteran Joe Solis will start the relay and is expected to run the entire marathon for Team RWB, while 69-year-old Vietnam War veteran and retired Hunter High art teacher Stan Taylor will carry the flag the last 1.25 miles.
Taylor, whose son Mark was one of the founders of the Utah chapter of the 112,000-member national organization, is participating in his first marathon relay, though Mark and Stan's wife, Anita, have run in the past.
Taylor needed a double lung transplant about a year ago after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He volunteered to pass out water two years ago but was recovering from his operation last year.
He said he plans to walk fast and try to run a bit as he completes the marathon relay with the other participants.
"I don't want to hold up the group," he said. "I can't go fast. ... These guys are a great group of soldiers."
After being drafted and going to Vietnam, Taylor said he put his military gear and life in a suitcase under the stairs for 30 years until his son Mark founded the all-volunteer group Team RWB, which sponsors a variety of physical exercise programs and social events each week.
"There is a great patriotic feeling about the group," he said. "It is great to be with them."
Anita said the Taylors got involved in Team RWB when Mark, also a veteran, started the group.
"They are a great group of people and we kind of stuck with them," she said. "This is the third marathon we have participated in as a team."
Comstock, who fought in Iraq with an Idaho artillery unit in 2004 and 2005, appreciates the team-first approach of the Team RWB group.
"What makes this different is that we always go as fast as the slowest participants," he said. "When we get to mile 23 and we have a runner who is not going to run, we walk together and stick together."
The event is expected to draw between 6,000 and 7,000 runners, according to marathon spokesman Carter Livingston. The races will finish on 200 East between the City County Building and Salt Lake City Library.
Most of the races begin at the Olympic Legacy Bridge near the University of Utah. The bike tour begins at 6 a.m., while the hand cycle and wheelchair race starts at 6:05 a.m. The full and half marathon begin at 7 a.m., with the 5-kilometer event starting at 7:10. The 10-kilometer skate begins at 7:30 a.m. at 500 S. 900 East.
TRAX will begin running at 4:07 a.m. Saturday to help get participants to the starting lines.
Awards ceremonies will be held near the finish line.
Registration is available through noon Thursday online and at the pre-event Expo Friday at the Salt Palace.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Salt Lake City Marathon
When • Saturday
Where • Throughout the northern portion of the Salt Lake Valley.
Numbers • Between 6,000 and 7,000 people are expected to participate in marathon, half marathon, 5-kilometer run, bicycle tour, 10-kilometer skate race, and wheelchair/hand cycle race.
Details • The finish line and awards area is located on 200 East between Library Square and the City-County Building.
More info • For details on all the events and surrounding festivities, log on to http://www.saltlakecitymarathon.com.