MARQUETTE -- The sixth annual Hope Starts Here challenge in Marquette provided the perfect outlet Saturday afternoon.

Organized by the M.G.H. Brain and Spine Center, the challenge featured a duathlon, a 10K run and a 5K run, walk and bike.

The top finishers in the events were awarded donated prizes, and the registration fees all went towards the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center.

While some ran for the cause in general, others were running with a more specific purpose.

"I really enjoyed seeing some of the teams that were assembled in honor of people that have died of brain tumors, and it just shows you how far reaching a brain tumor can affect a family and a community, so I think what we're doing is really important," says program director Laurie Neldberg-Weesen.

In all, about 400 people turned out to run all three events, a record number of participants.