One Winnipegger got to check 'running the Boston Marathon' off his bucket list today.

The Boston Marathon has been running since 1897, making it the world's oldest annual marathon as well as the most well-known. It attracts 30,000 participants, and up to 500,000 spectators every year. To race in it, you have to qualify while running a different marathon.

Here in Winnipeg, you can qualify by racing in the Manitoba Marathon. Andrew Rotoff got the chance to run in it and said it was an experience like no other.

"The crowd is everything. The city looks forward to it all year," Rotoff said. "I was going to the pharmacy to get stuff for my feet and people were stopping me and thanking me for running."

It's a marathon that many runners put on their bucket list, Rotoff says.

"People are really proud of it and it makes for a really high quality marathon."

Rotoff finished in 3 hours and 44 minutes, but it wasn't his personal best. "It was pretty hot, so that always has a big effect on me."

Even after the marathon, Rotoff isn't planning on taking much time off before running again. He says he'll probably do a couple of short runs a week for the next while before trying anything longer.

Rotoff's race isn't quite done yet, but this one is with the clock. His daughter is performing in her school's play and Rotoff plans on being home the eveing before.

"I wouldn't miss that for the world."