Updated: Sun Sep. 24 2006 7:34:13 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

About 10,000 competitors from 30 countries came out to take part in the massive Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Sunday morning.

Runners took part in a 42.2 kilometre marathon, as well as a half-marathon and a five-kilometre run-walk.

The big winners in the race were Kenya's Daniel Rono, who was the first male runner to cross the finish line in just over two hours and 10 minutes.

The first-place female competitor was Poland's Malgoretta Sobanska, in a time of two hours, 34 minutes and 29 seconds.

But perhaps the most attention was split between Ed Whitlock, who became the world's fastest 75-year-old marathon runner, and Michal Kapral, who set a new 'joggling' record for completing the marathon while juggling three objects.

Known as "the master," Whitlock was greeted by cheers and welcomed by NDP Leader Jack Layton as he crossed the finish line with minutes to spare.

He said he wasn't sure what kept him going.

"I don't know. Adrenaline I guess," the veteran runner told CTV Toronto.

Kapral, still juggling, also got lots of attention as he made his way across the finish line.

"As stupid as this record may be, I spent hours upon hours training for this, I knew I had to do it - this was my chance," he said.

The marathon brought in almost $250,000 for 40 Toronto charities.

Marathon turns tragic

For a second straight year the marathon turned tragic when a runner collapsed near Bay and Wellington Street West.

Paramedics were called to the scene at about 9 a.m.

The paramedics performed CPR but the 41-year-old Toronto man -- who had no vital signs when emergency workers arrived -- died after being taken to Mount Sinai Hospital.

An autopsy will be performed on Monday. The man's name has not been released.

Last year a 36-year-old Oakville man died after finishing the half-marathon.

Book festival draws crowds

In addition to the marathon crowd, bookworms crowded the city's core on Sunday for The Word on the Street book fair.

The 17th annual book and magazine celebration closed off Queen's Park Circle between Bloor and Wellesley as book venders, publishers, libraries and writers brought their wares onto the street.

The festival included book signings by Canadian authors, a children's area and an area dedicated to organizations that promote literacy.

With a report from CTV Toronto's MairiAnna Bachinsky