SYDNEY, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tens of Thousands have diverged on Sydney's pittoresk harborside streets on Sunday morning to participate in the city's annual running festival.
Originally conceived by the New South Wales State Government in Australia as a way to promote health and fitness in the community following the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, the event now attracts competitors from all over the world who get to take in the city's stunning landmarks as they battle the pavement.
Competitors of the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival are given the option of a 3.5 kilometer family fun run, a 10 kilometer Harbor Bridge run, a half marathon or a grueling full marathon.
"This year there are 34,000 runners participating," Blackmores Managing Director in Asia Peter Osborne told Xinhua.
"This is the biggest, this is the record."
It has also a record turnout for Chinese competitors. "250 Chinese runners have come from China to run this year," Osborne said.
"Over 10 percent of the foreign runners are from China, we think it's really good."
Aside from promoting health, many runners and teams also use the event to shine the spotlight on worthwhile causes.
So far, Sunday's race has raised around 1.5 million Australian dollars (1.2 million U.S. dollars) for charity, with more expected in the coming days.
In the event's history, the total funds raised are in excess of 17 million Australian dollars (13.6 million U.S. dollars).
Although the day is more about fun than competition for most, taking this year's honors in the marathon event was Japanese runner Shota Hattori in a time of 02:15:16.
While Ethiopian Makda Harun Haji crossed first for the women's marathon in a time of 02:28:04.
