A throng of 40,000 strong moved through the streets of downtown Ottawa at various times this weekend -- runners from all over the world, taking part in races ranging from 2 kilometres long to the traditional marathon.
With every step, many have altruism on their mind -- they say they are running for charity.
"I'm running for my friend Paul and to raise donations for the Shepherds of Good Hope," says Manny Rodrigues, the elite athlete co-ordinator.
At the end of the 10-kilometre race on Saturday, runners were both elated and exhausted.
"We're feeling fantastic and he feels fantastic," said the female counterpart of one couple. "It's his first 10 K."
Runners say their fans motivated them to cross the finish line for the 10 K. And for the first time, it was a woman who broke the tape -- Ethiopia's Dire Tune.
Guelph's Eric Gillis was the first Canadian past the post. But the $100,000 prize for beating the world record went unclaimed this year.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Alyshah Hasham
