Manitowoc, WI (WFRV)- Runners hit the lakeshore this morning for the first ever HFM Maritime Marathon in Manitowoc.

62 degrees and damp weather along the lake front made for nice conditions to run 26 miles, and this race had more a lot at stake for some runners.

Last month Green Bay's  Cellcom Marathon was cancelled halfway through due to excessive heat and weeks later Madison cancelled their marathon all together because of the heat.

Many runners were trying to qualify for bigger marathons so they changed their plans in Manitowoc and became a certified marathon.

"Initially we weren't going to, didn't think it was necessary. But as soon as we started getting that message and Madison had issues with their race, I jumped on and we went after it," race director, Dave Nickels said.

Scott Jansky from Two Rivers wasn't looking to break a record today, but the 38-year-old ended up placing first out of about 400 runners.

20-year-old Nick Schroeder was one of the many runners hoping to qualify to run in the Boston Marathon.

He just barely missed the cut, finishing in 3 hours, 5 minutes and 20 seconds.

"I broke my personal record by about a half hour but i was 20 seconds off, so I was pretty close," Nick said.

All the money raised from today's marathon will go to the Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center.