A Father's Day tradition continues Sunday with the running of the 39th Manitoba Marathon.

About 14,000 runners took part in the 38th edition of the event in 2016 including Blumenort's Steffan Reimer.

"It's fun," said Reimer who finished in third place one year ago as he completed the 26.2 mile course in a time of two hours, 50 minutes and 35 seconds. "It's become a tradition for me. This is my home marathon. I want to do well here. Not just the placing but this is the one where I want to be timed. It's flat, it's fast and it's one that I know I can really go for it. That's what I get excited about."

Last year competitors who ran the full marathon ran the same route but in reverse.

There's another big change this year as Manitoba Marathon executive director Rachel Munday announced last November that the finish line has been moved from University Stadium at the U of M campus in south Winnipeg to Investors Group Field.

"I love the track," Reimer said. "I really do. There's something special about finishing on a track but getting to run on a CFL field - that's pretty cool. There will probably be the same amount of people there cheering but just the whole big stadium will be a lot of fun."

Reimer was in attendance at the Marathon Kick Off Luncheon on Thursday at the Pinnacle Club at Investors Group Field where Grant Mitchell presented him with the Bob Walker award for having the best time for a Manitoba runner under 30-years-of-age in the 2016 race.

Walker, who passed away in 2015, set the record for fastest Manitoban to run the marathon in 1981 when he crossed the finish line in a time of 2:19:06.

"Obviously it's a special award," said Reimer. "Bob Walker left quite a legacy. To get an award in his name is special and I'll hopefully go out and see if I can get it again next year."

There will be a new men's champion this Sunday.

Bradley Keefe of Winnipeg will not be on the starting line.

He's changed jobs and that has limited his race preparation.

Les Friesen of Steinbach finished in second place last year just 31 seconds behind Keefe.

Heather Magill of Calgary, who lives in East Grand Forks, is the reigning women's full marathon champion.

Race day events on Sunday include the full marathon, half marathon, relay, 10 km, super run and mini mites.