DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) – More than 3,000 people ran in the first-ever Commitment Day in downtown Dallas on Tuesday.

The race was one of 33 similar events that took place on New Year’s Day, all aimed at sparking a movement to help people begin the year with a 5K run, and encourage them to stick to their goals, including health and fitness, throughout the year.

The Wedderburn-Pugh family of Plano ran together for the first time. Monique and daughter Kaylee said it took some effort to finally get husband and father Ken, along with son Nathan, to sign up for the race.

Runners and walkers take part in the New Year’s Commitment Day 5K, held in Dallas. (credit: CBSDFW.COM)

“If we can all finish the race together, I think that’s going to be something! Something good, something to look forward to,” Kaylee said. Ken added he needed to spend less time on the couch watching football. “Well, the main thing I want to change is get healthy with my kids. That’s the main thing, for sure. If the kids are going to do it, then I have to do it!”

Lifetime Fitness hosted the event and gave runners a journal to help them jot down their progress so they could continue to stay in shape.

John and Carol Pollis of Palm Springs, California were in town visiting their grandchildren for the holidays when they decided they would take part in the motivational event. “We’re making it a commitment to lose weight and live better in the new year,” John said. His goal is to lose 50 pounds before the end of the year. He said he simply wanted to live a longer life to be able to spend more time with his grandchildren.

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