The sixth annual Missoula Marathon was one for the record books Sunday.

The marathon clocked in over 5,000 participants making it the largest ever.

Records were also set in the number of participants in the half marathon with almost 2,900 and in the 5K with almost 500.

Racers came from as far as Italy and Germany.

For one runner from Sweden, his inspiration is more important than any medal.

"He's so very alive for me. We're doing this together," runner Anders Forselius said.

Forselius is carrying the ashes of an American boy named Alex who died at age 12 in 2001.

When his mother met Forselius and found out he was running across the United States and all over the world.

She asked him if he could do something special for her deceased son.

"His last wish was to get his ashes spread all over the world," Forselius said.

Forselius has finished 40 marathons with Alex's ashes and his quest is to run at least one marathon in every state.

He has thirteen more to go.

Supporters of runners on Sunday said it's folks like Forselius that brings makes the marathon meaningful.

"Thanks for running, thanks for doing something for yourself, but thanks for doing something for us too," Jane Eustance said.

On top of the crowd support, Missoula Marathon Director Anders Brooker said the race had its largest amount of volunteers ever with around 500 volunteers

Brooker said the volunteers made the difference helping with drinks aid stations.

"My favorite thing is watching volunteers put hundreds of hours in that's just unbelievable," Brooker said.

Race officials said the extra help and hustle when it came to being prepared for the heat paid off.

They had hundreds of ice bags dropped off to aid stations throughout the day and had 5,000 refreshments at the finish line alone.

Brooker said they're happy with the turn out and now looking to get even bigger and better for next year.