10,000 people took on the Abbot Dash to the Finish Line 5k Saturday. The race is kick-off event for marathon weekend in New York City.

“The course is great. It's beautiful. The atmosphere was wonderful. So definitely recommend this race for anyone who's willing to do it,” said runner Natalie Luft after completing it.

The course started along First Avenue at East 44th street and took runners through midtown to Central Park. They crossed the same finish line that runners will cross on Sunday after completing the 26.2-mile TCS NYC Marathon.

“You may not be running in the marathon, but participating in the 5K will still give you a similar sense of accomplishment,” said Ted Metellus, senior vice president of events and race director for the TCS NYC Marathon.

Metellus shared some of the history of Saturday’s race.

“The Abbot Dash to the finish started back in the late ‘70s as the International Friendship Run, which obviously makes sense here as you’re starting in front of the U.N.,” Metellus said. “It was a collection of nations from across the world that came here together to run and celebrate running, health and wellness that has continued on for the better part of three decades.

Organizers and runners alike Saturday were glad the weather held up.

“We’re happy it’s not raining since it’s been raining every single weekend,” said runner Mukunda Lewis.

Many ran the 5k as part of the New York Road Runners 9+1 program, which guarantees entry into the TCS New York City Marathon the following year.

“Right now all I wanted was to finish the nine races and then next year we start training for the marathon,” said Pepito Santos after he finished the 5k Saturday.