Thousands of feet were expected to take off in Assiniboine Park Sunday morning in a race to beat cancer.

The 12th annual Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon raises money to support brain cancer research at the Canadian Cancer Society.

The cancer society said in a news release brain cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths in youth and young adults, with a survival rate of just 25 per cent versus 63 per cent for cancer overall.

“Brain cancer represents some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, making it difficult to destroy,” said the release.

This year, 2,900 people registered to run in the half marathon, two-person relay and five-kilometre race, according to the news release.

Two brain cancer patients, Joanne Schiewe and Catherine Ledlow, were two of the biggest fundraisers for this year’s race.

The race started at 8 a.m. and included a tribute from the Canadian Forces as a Hercules aircraft flew overhead. The Winnipeg police also have their Air1 helicopter there for public viewing.

Wellington Crescent from Guelph Street to Assiniboine Park and northbound Park Boulevard North to Wellington Crescent closed at 6 a.m. and will re-open at 11 a.m.

There is also a parking ban in the two eastbound curb lanes of Portage Avenue from Woodhaven Boulevard west to Douglas Park Boulevard from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. on race day.