Monumental Marathon has a record crowd

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Saturday, 11,000 runners hit the streets in downtown Indianapolis. It was the 5th annual St Francis Health Monumental Marathon and it was a sell out.

Thousands of runners filled the streets of Indianapolis. “I started in May I made the goal to do the half marathon and here I am,” said Victoria Myer who ran her very first half.

The popularity of the Monumental Marathon reached an all time high. A record number of runners signed up. Organizers believe having the event scheduled the same weekend as the New York City Marathon helped their numbers. After Hurricane Sandy hit many decided to alter their plans and come to Indianapolis. “Its a good thing I think we were able to have the race that happened at the same time as that one so that we could be there for the people that couldn't run there,” Says Tim Nowak who got his personal best time at the Monumental Marathon.

Last minute New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg canceled their marathon, but it was on in Indianapolis as the runners pushed forward, running past the city's historical sites. Organizers say they had 1,000 more people sign up compared to the year before and for the most part they were prepared. “I think the ones at the start had fewer volunteers maybe they needed a few more volunteers, but they had quite a few drink stations and it was pretty well set up,” says Nowak.

For runners like Tim , participating is something they do every year, but for others it was a long time personal goal they finally achieved. “To prove to myself that I can. I came in last at the Field Day race when I was a kid, I've always been the fat girl, today I'm running and I'm going to do it, but come what may I'm going to be a different person in the end,” explains Myer.

Officials say 45 states and 9 different countries were represented at the Monumental Marathon.