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The annual Mayo Midnight Marathon marks the summer solstice, bringing in hundreds of runners and walkers to the town.

This year's event featured one of the largest fields ever, competing in some of the hottest temperatures the event has ever seen.

The participants competed across six categories, ranging from a 5-kilometre walk to a full marathon.

The influx in participants was caused by the Kluane-Chilkat International Bike Relay being scheduled a week later this year, allowing the events to fall on separate weekends for the first time ever.

"We were prepared, I anticipated it being a larger event,鈥� said Cheryl Klippert, race director.

"I knew a lot of bikers would be able to do the marathon as well and that's what happened.鈥�

The daytime temperature hovered around 30 degrees but cooled down in the evening.

The marathon runners were first to leave the start line at 8 p.m.

"The race evening was perfect, it was really nice and warm,鈥� said Klippert.

The warm temperatures didn't seem to slow the pack as the top finisher in each division crossed the finish line with very respectable times.

In the men's 10-km run, Whitehorse's Yanik Freeman led the field, competing with Matthias Bindig of Keno City for the top spot.

Freeman finished the race in 40 minutes and 5 seconds, Bindig arrived 45 seconds later.

"They've been racing back and forth every year,鈥� Klippert said of the duo.

Whitehorse's Kelly Proudfoot was the top marathon runner on the day.

She completed the distance in 3 hours and 39 minutes. Two minutes later Robert Gillis, also of Whitehorse, arrived to place second.

Keith Maguire placed third overall with a time 3:45.

"We were all pretty happy to see that,鈥� Klippert said of Proudfoot's time.

"She was very fast out there.鈥�

In total, 230 people registered for the event and 218 crossed the finish line, a siginfincat increase from last year's 176 finishers.

Athletes from across Canada, as far east as Newfoundland and from the United States took part in the event.

"We had somebody from Connecticut, a few from Alta., B.C., around the Yukon,鈥� said Klippert. "It made for a really nice event.鈥�

Afterwards the participants were together once again for a champagne breakfast, put on by the gracious hosts and volunteers who provided all the homemade food.

"The food comes from all the kitchens around Mayo,鈥� said Klippert.

The organizers also handed out awards, t-shirts and stainless steel water bottles to participants.

The water bottles were a new addition to the breakfast, with organizers choosing to distribute them instead of the traditionally used medals.

"We didn't do medal this year, we've had the same ones fro 17 years,鈥� said Klippert.

The water bottles featured the event's logo and Kilppert said they were well received.

"It seemed like everyone was pretty happy by the time they left here,鈥� she said.

Klippert also noted the tireless work of all the volunteers that make the event possible every year.

"We go around and recruit up to 50 volunteers,鈥� she said.

"They are out here all night, all the support drivers, kitchen crew, RCMP, it just goes on and on.鈥�

The race used to begin at midnight but over the years the organizers have offered a new staggered start, beginning at 8 p.m.

Klippert said in the old system, runners could get in as late as 6 a.m., giving the volunteers and organizers two hours to go home, grab a shower and be back in the kitchen making breakfast.

"It was a really good idea to change it,鈥� she said.

"No one's alone on the road at any given point, it keeps it safe and this way we can be home in bed by 2:30 a.m.鈥�

For complete results visit www.mayomidnightmarathon.ca