The U.S. National Mall in Washington, DC was like a sea of pink t-shirts and hats Saturday, as thousands of people gathered for a high-profile race to collect money for breast cancer research.

Organizers of the so-called “Race for the Cure” said they expected 40,000 people to run or walk the 5-kilometer race course that passed by a number of national monuments and ended a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

The annual event is replicated in other cities across the nation and in other parts of the world. It has made the color pink a globally recognized symbol for breast cancer research and treatment.

Event founder Nancy Brinker has said the funds raised in each race are used locally to support community health programs, including breast screenings and diagnostic tests for low-income or uninsured women. Money also goes to research on a vaccine for the disease.

Race organizers say 34 diplomatic agencies and embassies in the nation's capital participated in the race in Washington. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was participating on a team representing her country.

A number of members of the U.S. Congress were among 36 teams from government entities.