'Great energy': Rain can't slow runners at Blue Nose Marathon

It was a wet and cloudy day for thousands of runners taking part in the 22nd annual Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax.

Halifax's Maksym Pokotylets crossed the finish line with a splash, taking home first place in two hours, 33 minutes and nine seconds.

Halifax's Alexandra Quimby placed first in her division, and was the first female to cross the finish line, in 2:56:36.

She said holding her baby, Wally, in her arms was the best part about finishing the race.

"It's really fun," Quimby said. "It seems like there's great energy despite the weather."

Quimby, originally from Ontario, moved to Nova Scotia last July. This was her first Blue Nose Marathon.

She said she and her friend woke up at 5 a.m., ate a bagel and drank some coffee to relax before the race. Quimby placed first in her division and 13th overall, finishing in just under three hours.

Dozens of fundraising organizations also took part in the race. More than $250,000 was raised.

Bide Awhile, a Dartmouth animal shelter, raised over $12,000.

Sam Cole, the organization's communications and marketing co-ordinator, ran the 5K Saturday and the 10K Sunday morning.

"I love running, but I love raising the money for the animals even more," said Cole.

Cole said the run was a little trickier with the rain. 

"Shoes are definitely soaked, got a few blisters from the water, and the bridge was a struggle with the wind and the rain, but at the end of the day, it's fun to take part and the energy here makes up for it."