Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon 2017: In pictures and video
Some were determined to record a personal best time while others wanted to put smiles on the faces of the spectators lining the 26.2 mile route.
But all tackled the challenge - and felt the pride - of finishing the 20th running of the Carver Wolverhampton City marathon.
The fastest runners took the spoils but many took part for reasons close to their heart or personal goals.
Meanwhile others donned a host of wonderful fancy dress outfits and raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes along the way.
WATCH highlights of the day
Stuart Bailey, a 45-year-old store from Bilbrook wore a six-kilo Peppa Pig outfit to raise money for New Cross Hospital as a thank you for the treatment his grandson George received.
The baby was born ten months ago with a serious illness but is now improving after the problem was traced to a rare complaint.
He has raised over £30,000 for several charities over the last seven years while running 40 marathons in a variety of guises ranging from the Jolly Green Giant and yellow chicken, through Morticia Addams to Father Christmas - the last of which saw the 6ft 4ins tall store manager lose half a stone in weight during this year's London Marathon.
He said: "I am not going to be another Mo Farah but I entertain the crowds. The more stupid you look, the easier it is to raise money for good causes."
Andy Newman, a 46-year-old carpenter and father of three from Fordhouses, launched the Wolverhampton Bobsled Team six years ago.
Since then they have got through four sledges while competing in 30 different events including the Wolverhampton marathon and raised almost £30,000 for good causes - this year it was the Teenage Cancer Trust for whom inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton raised millions before his death.
His mother Jane was among the four strong team that carried the 15 feet long bobsled in the Banks's10k run and explained: "I am often asking people to donate and like to show I am doing something by taking on challenges.
"After climbing Kilimanjaro and running the London Marathon I wanted to do something that needed less training."
The annual event has been a landmark event in the city’s calendar since the late 1990s.
Henry Carver was behind Carvers becoming the major sponsors and underwriters of the event.
For more pictures and a round up from the day's events buy tomorrow's Express & Star.
