Runners lace up for police half-marathon in Winnipeg

Thousands of runnerslacedup for the annual Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon at Assiniboine Park on Sunday.

The 13th annual event raised funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and this year's event was in support of brain cancer research.

Brain cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among youth and young adults.

• Tragically Hip fan JoanneSchiewedead of same brain cancerGordDowniehas
• Young mom with terminal cancerraises$3K for research

In a message on the marathon's website the race director Nick Paulet wrote a tribute to the half marathon legend Joanne Scheiwe who passed away after a battle with brain cancer last August.

Schiewe was also a big Tragically Hip fan and had the same form of terminal brain cancer that Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has.

She was awardedthe Canadian Cancer Society's highest honour after the race.

"Joanne touched so many lives and made such a difference on so many levels,''Canadian Cancer Society Manitoba volunteer chairperson Elmer Gomes said. "Wehonour her tenacity, her spirit and her courage today with this award."

About 2,900 runners were expected to take part in Sunday's run.