Over 200 people participated in the 12th-annual Harbour Walk and Run on Saturday in support of the Meaford Hospital Foundation.

The event had been a success in previous years, but organizers said that contributions from a number of running clubs in the area helped to push this year's event over the top, making it the biggest yet.

"I believe we have 210 participants here today, which is a new record," said race director Brian Renken. "We're having a lot of regulars that have been here year after year and we're starting to have more people coming from Collingwood. In fact, the Collingwood Running Company has 20 or 30 runners here today."

And members of the foundation were pleased with the community's willingness to support their cause.

"This event today has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the past number of years, it includes hundreds of volunteers and participants and the Hospital Foundation congratulates Brian Renken and his committee for the work they've done," said Meaford Hospital Foundation Capital Campaign Chair Bert Chalmers.

"This community really appreciates and supports its hospital and this event is a major part of that support."

Mayor Francis Richardson, who walked the 5km course, also expressed his happiness with the community's willingness to support its hospital.

"The event is so important and it raises so much money for such a tremendous cause," he said. "The turnout is great, I'm really glad to be able to participate in something like this."

As in previous years, Renken recognized the top pledges, presenting them with prizes donated by local businesses. For the fifth year in a row, Pat Parsons took the top spot, raising over $1,400. Loraine Hamill placed second with Dave Glass, Kevin Knight and Alicia Hooper taking the third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

Plaques were awarded to the top finishers in the race with Jason Weppler finishing first overall in the men's category and Tracy Grieg taking first overall in the women's category. This year marked the first time that local businesses have competed against one another in the group event where the team from the Bank of Montreal proved victorious.

Over the past twelve years, the Harbour Walk and Run has helped to raise $79,000 for the foundation and Renken said that they hoped to raise $12,000 with this year's event.