Community and competition: Thousands take on New Balance 5th Avenue Mile.

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – The iconic New Balance 5th Avenue Mile brought together athletes of all levels on Sunday, transforming Manhattan's most famous thoroughfare into a vibrant racing venue.

Over 8,000 runners participated in this renowned road race, spanning 20 blocks down Fifth Avenue.

The event featured 30 different heats, catering to a diverse range of participants from professional athletes and local elites to age group runners. Special heats included the Back to School Mile for youth, the George Sheehan Memorial Mile for seniors and a dedicated NYPD and FDNY heat for service members.

"We felt great, we all ran as friends, just had a great day running down Fifth Avenue," said Caroline Still, a runner with over a decade of experience. "I wasn't expecting so many people out cheering, so it was a great time."

The event showcased the strong running community in New York City. Participants praised the energetic atmosphere.

"New York has a really cool running community. It's just really nice to see friends and all the supporters out in the crowd," one runner told PIX11 News.

Ted Metellus, senior vice president of events for New York Road Runners, emphasized the significance of the mile distance.

"Every distance starts with its first step, and every marathon starts with its first mile. Many first-time participants are out there saying, 'Hey, let me get out there and see if I can do a mile and see where that first mile takes me on this journey,'" Metellus said.

The professional races attracted top talent, including Olympians and world champions. Defending champion Josh Kerr and U.S. Olympic medalist Emma Coburn headlined the elite fields.

For newcomers like Aaqilah Brown, the race provided a platform to test their abilities.

"I actually just started a few months ago. I was really excited and proud of myself, and really surprised because I didn't know I could run that fast," Brown said.

As the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile concluded, NYRR is already preparing for its next event. In two weeks, runners will take on the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile.