MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Runners from across South Florida and elsewhere loaded up on carbs and laced up their running shoes to participate in Sunday’s ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

The race course began at the American Airlines Arena and traveled through Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables before returning downtown for a finish at Bayfront Park.

Approximately 25 thousand runners/walkers participated in the eighth annual event.

“I run because my son, Ricky, is 23 and has Crohn’s disease,” said Robin Campbell after completing the half mile.

Campbell’s run was part of a fundraising effort in hope of finding a cure for the form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

“I will tell you today, one of our team members is in Ryder Trauma where she’s been since late May and has had complication after complication. So I texted her yesterday that while I always run for Ricky, I am running for you Meagan,” said Campbell.

“I kept a nine minute mile pace,” said Anderson Dias.

For Dias the run was about faith and sacrifice.

“The truth is that I know God speaks to me through mental breakdown and physical breakdown, so for me this marathon was just a long prayer!” said Dias.