The nation showed its support for breast cancer research over the weekend, with a record number of participants taking part in the 15th annual Mother's Day Classic.
An impressive 125,000 people across the country hit the pavements on Sunday May 13 for the fun run or walk, topping last year's participation by 5,000 and keeping on-track with 2012's funding target of $4.2 million.
Melbourne was a nationwide leader with 42,000 people taking part, meaning that for the first time in history maximum capacity was reached - but other areas weren't far behind, with enthusiastic participants in 53 different locations, both urban and rural.
The charity event was founded by Louise Davidson, now the national chair of the Classic, and Mavis Robertson of Women in Super, a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to supporting women employed in the superannuation and financial services industry.
After the fun run came to a finish on Sunday, Ms Davidson reflected on how far the event has come since its humble beginnings 15 years ago.
"When we started this event in 1998, several thousand people joined in," she said.
"None of us imagined that it would grow into Australia's largest fundraising event. It's fantastic to see the level of community support for the event and for the breast cancer cause."
In line with its 15th anniversary, the charity organisation was hoping that this year's event would push the total amount of fundraising to $15 million. Although the Classic has now finished, people are still encouraged to show their support as donations are open until the end of the week.
"We are so close to raising a cumulative total of $15 million, I urge everyone to help us get over the line by continuing to raise funds and donate until our closing date this Friday, 18 May," Ms Davidson said.
All of the money raised by the Classic goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) - a charity organisation that funds research for the prevention and cure of the disease.
In the lead-up to 2012s event, NBCF chief executive Carole Renouf spoke about the importance of research and the positive impacts of the Classic's support in a YouTube video.
"We all know that research does cost, but breast cancer costs a lot more. The most fabulous range of research has been funded by the Mother's Day Classic over the years. They've raised nearly $11 million since 1998," Ms Renouf said.
Online donations are accepted on the Mother's Day Classic website.
