MARQUETTE -- Five-hundred-fifty participants is a record number for the amount of people that participated in this year's "Hope Starts Here Challenge". It's the single biggest fundraiser for the Upper Michigan Brain and Spine Center.
Thousands of dollars were raised Saturday to go toward cancer research at Marquette General and NMU. Part of the money raised goes toward patient and family travel expenses.
Organizers say the community outreach has been overwhelming.
"That is probably the most amazing thing because I'm certain that not all 550 people have a relative or friend who's had a brain tumor, but of course there are some people that are here for that reason, but it's just a really great, enthusiastic event that the community gets behind," said Laurie Neldberg-Weesen of the Center.
Participants could choose between walks, a half-marathon, or a duathlon.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC