They also carried with them the memory of a grandmother who lost her life to bowel cancer.

event on Sunday, who gathered at Rond Terrace to complete a pre-run aerobic warm-up before tackling the 5-kilometre

Organisers said an increased number of regional events had conspired to rob the Canberra’s classic of runners this year.

The crowd may not have been the biggest, but it was hailed the best in the event’s nine years in the capital. The smoothly run affair was attributed to a record 140 volunteers.

Nationally, organisers expect the 125,000 participants across all major capital cities and 87 regional towns would help the event match last year’s record donation of $5 million.

More than $20 million has been raised since the inaugural event in 1998.

The figure makes Mother's Day Classic the single biggest donor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

National chairwoman Louise Davidson said organisers were humbled that thousands of families and individuals had made the event a regular part of their Mother's Day celebrations.

"Our thanks to everyone who joined us today. Together they have helped make Mother's Day memorable and meaningful as the nation's largest charity event," Ms Davidson said.

Ms Alblas said Freya and Liliane had nominated the food, jumping castle, and medallions for taking part, as the day’s highlights.

She said they were at first unsure if they would make the 5-kilometre course, but, with that hurdle overcome, had begun planning to upgrade to 10 kilometres next year.

The family from Hackett signed up in order to teach the children the importance of community.

“We decided to take part because … I wanted the girls to take part in an important community event for a good cause,” Ms Alblas said.

“It’s good for them to learn they can do something positive for their community.

“I want to instil in them a sense of responsibility to the community and that they can make a difference, even as children.”

Ms Alblas said the children carried with them the memory of their paternal grandmother “Oma”, who unexpectedly passed away from cancer.

“She was a very special person, they were very lucky, they had a few very close years with her because she looked after them when I went back to work.

“We all miss her terribly, especially on special days of the year like Mother’s Day.

“Having daughters as well, [the Mother's Day Classic] brings women’s health issues to the forefront of your mind. [Helping fund research into cancer means] the women of the future have the best chance possible.”

Donations can still be made at mothersdayclassic.com.au.