CTV News Montreal

Updated: Sun Sep. 13 2009 4:43:23 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Several downtown streets were blocked off to traffic Sunday as thousands of runners put their stamina to the test in the Montreal Marathon.

"It's my first (marathon)," said Jean-Charles Del Du Chetto. "It's a personal challenge. I want to push my limits."

An estimated 19,000 people took part in the event, which began at 8:30 a.m. on the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

Marathon runner Mia Kokic said she felt well prepared for the run.

"This morning I just had a cup of coffee, a bit of bagel and that was it. I stretched a little bit and I was ready!"

While some ran the full 42.2 km, others opted to run the half-marathon.

The marathon was also open to cyclists, who rode for 40 km.

Organizers say this year's marathon attracted participants from 30 countries.

Inspiration along the way

Dick Traum, who lost his leg in an accident four decades ago, was among the runners pounding the pavement during Sunday's marathon.

It was Traum who inspired Canadian legend Terry Fox to run across the country to raise money for cancer research.

After his leg was amputated at the age of 18, Fox read an article about Traum running in the New York Marathon.

"He saw this picture and he said, 'If I don't die, I can run a marathon...' And that night he had a dream he would run across Canada," Traum told CTV Montreal's Aphrodite Salas.

Along the way, Salas also spoke to athletes who are veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Joe Beimfohr fought in the Iraq war and became a double amputee after an explosion in July 2005.

He said disabled veterans are thankful for the opportunity to participate in marathons.

"It's really a confidence builder for the guys who are going through therapy," he said.