The Catlin End-to-End set a new record on Saturday with 2,700 official participants and countless more who joined in along the way.Organising board member Stephen Davidson was extremely pleased with the turnout and the weather that made for pleasant conditions for the participants, volunteers and countless spectators.He was more than confident the fundraising goal would be met in about two weeks when all the pledges are in to support local charities.Mr Davidson said: “Last year we managed to get 2,600 participants on our 25th anniversary. We thought that would be our high point, particularly with the economic climate in Bermuda this year.“But we topped it with more than 2,700 people with quite a lot more who joined in unofficially; that’s not counting the 500 volunteers and all the spectators who lined the route to cheer the participants on.“We figure that we had at least five percent of Bermuda’s population participating; like the Ag Show, only it went all the way to Somerset, then Dockyard,” he said.“The 2013 Catlin End-to-End was one for the record books. More people took part than ever before — and we hope to top our previous fundraising amounts.”Top fundraising teams included the First Atlantic Commerce Group and Friends with members dressed up as feral chickens; together they raised $17,791.They were followed by Team Westmeath who raised $6,445, with the team from RenaissanceRe in third place with $4,760.Other top contributors included Team ICAB with $3,841, Team Lunch with $3,675 and Our Passion Book Club with $1,980. Hannover Life Reassurance Bermuda Ltd raised $2,160 followed by Our Passion Book Club with $1,980 and the team from Catlin Group who raised $1,555.The largest group of school students represented the Berkeley Institute with more than 100 students who raised $3,345. They were followed by CedarBridge Academy students who raised $1,905.Warwick Academy students raised $1,865, followed by Whitney Institute with $1,862.Saltus Grammar School students raised $1,310, Sandys Secondary Middle School students $1,209, Mount St Agnes Academy $1,174 and Clearwater Middle School students $1,111.Top individual fundraising honours went to Keith Griffin who raised $7,465, Keil Gunther with $2,540, Chris Burns who raised $1,835, Devon Moss with $1,615, Nick Smale with $1,585, Robert Lee, who raised $1,290, Louise Legg with $1,180 and Mike Cranfield who raised $1,165.Mr Davidson expressed gratitude to all sponsors including Catlin, CellOne and the many local companies “who make it possible to hold this big event and ensure that all money raised through our participants’ sweat and blisters goes to charity”.And he was more than pleased with how the event has grown over the years.“It all started out as a fun thing for a group of people who were trying to get fit and raise money for charity,” he said.“It’s part of Bermuda’s annual social calendar now and it’s become the kick-off to the summer season. One lady said to me on Saturday that it’s her reminder that she’s going to be wearing a bathing suit on May 24.”Organisers were confident they will at least be able to distribute around $200,000 to the local charities this year. He also joined in the walk with his children at the Somerset Police Station to Dockyard.Asked what he would say to the countless participants suffering from aches and pains, he replied: “I think its something they will remember forever; and they did it for charity at a time when it is so desperately needed.”He also commended the four Bermuda Regiment soldiers “who did the walk carrying heavy loaded backpacks and the 20 people who did the elite swim”.“More than 900 cyclists did the various bike events, which must be the largest group of wheels on Bermuda’s road ever! We think the surge in bike popularity is due to the good work of the Bermuda Bicycle Association in the schools,” Mr Davidson added.“Our biggest event was the Middle-to-End walk, which had more than 1,300 participants, ranging from seasoned athletes striding their way west to groups of friends and families who chatted their way along. About 125 people slogged the whole way up from St George’s on foot.”Mr Davidson concluded: “We are very grateful to all those people with sore feet today for taking part; it always amazes me how committed people are. This year we had around 700 were first-timers, with another 200 people who’ve done it eight or more times.”“These folks are not athletes — they’re normal people like you and me who like the idea of a nice walk in the sun for a good cause .”