Thousands attend 31st annual AIDS Walk LA in West Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Tens of thousands of people took a walk for a good cause at the annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles in West Hollywood Park Sunday.

It is the 31st year of one of the largest events in the nation, and more than 20,000 people attended Sunday's event.

West Hollywood Park is the sight of the first Aids Walk event in history, and thousands of people joined in to help benefit the AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Over 20,000 walkers participated in the fundraiser last year, along with 2,500 volunteers.

The 6.2-mile walk began and ended at the park, which usually takes about 2.5 hours to complete. ABC7's own Ellen Leyva, Bri Winkler, Marc Brown, Marc Cota-Robles and Elex Michaelson joined walkers at the event.

The kick-off started at 9 a.m. with a pre-walk warm up and opening ceremony. The official walk started at 10 a.m.

The event raises millions of dollars for HIV prevention and awareness as well as for vital programs that help those living with HIV and AIDS. Many who took part in the walk did so for support and in memory of a loved one.