LOUISVILLE, KY - Kentucky Derby Festival officials say its marathon and minimarathon raised a record $439,170 for 24 charities participating in the events.

The Courier-Journal reports the largest amount went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which raised $170,000.

Festival CEO and President Mike Berry says the numbers continue to increase every year and the festival expects to surpass $500,000 next year.

The number of charities participating, 24, and the number of runners, about 18,000, also set records.

The races are among an array of events that the festival holds in Louisville each year leading up to the Kentucky Derby.