More than 1,000 runners spent Sunday morning on the run at the ninth annual Women’s Fund Tiara 5K road race. The Mother’s Day tradition in Mattapoisett mixes fun and fundraising with creative costumes, a children’s fun run and the 5K for adults.

The Women’s Fund works with women across the South Coast and the 5K is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. The event has grown steadily with an all-time high of $56,000 raised in 2014.

Fundraising numbers have not been released yet but Karen Browning, who has overseen volunteer staff for the race for eight years, viewed Sunday as the best Tiara 5K to date.

Before the race, Browning recruited volunteers from students at Old Rochester Regional High School. She said the race is a good way to engage the community in a good cause.

“And it’s a great way for young kids to meet high school kids,” said Browning.

This year’s volunteer turnout was the largest she’s ever had, she said.

The races started and ended at Oxford Creamery, a sponsor for the event, and featured a mix of veterans and newbies to the Tiara 5K.

When asked why they participated in the event, many runners said they were celebrating Mother’s Day and supporting the good cause. There were also some more original answers.

Courtney was one of four women running in a small pack together in the 5K race.

Her reason for running was an emphatic, “Supporting our women!”

The Dashing Divas group of coworkers ran as a teambuilding activity.

Team Boutique Fitness ran to add this race to the many things they do together in support of fitness.

While a philanthropic event, winners of the different races were still crowned. Twelve-year-old Ryan Quinlan took home the 8 to 12 Fun Run title. New Bedford native Mike Grasela won the 5K in 18:02.

No matter what their reason for running or when they finished, all participants aided the Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts through an entrance fee. The money raised will go towards the organization and will help provide higher education and economic well-being for women in Southeastern Massachusetts.