Tackling a fun run or half marathon on a day when the temperature had reached 18 degrees by 7:30am may not sound like the best Sunday morning activity, but for at least 1500 people it was the perfect way to start the day.
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St John's Ambulance crews were on hand to treat runners overcome by the heat at the inaugural Run for your Lifeline Canberra Fun Run christening the new Majura Parkway.
But Lifeline CEO Carrie Leeson said only one or two people needed treatment during the half marathon, 10 kilometre and 5 kilometre events.
"The event has gone without incident everyone got across the finish line in good shape and we're very pleased with that," she said.
The exact amount is yet to be calculated, but so far more than $20,000 has been raised from the run to go towards training more volunteers to man Lifeline's telephone counselling service, Lifeline Canberra's commercial operations manager Matt Heffernan said.
Ms Leeson said she was thrilled with the support from Canberrans.
"We've definitely raised a significant sum of money to continue to support our community with the 131114 phone number," she said.
"Each volunteer costs us $8000 per year to remain on the phone, that's to train them maintain the infrastructure and education process to make sure we're delivering a consistent service nationally
"We've never been in the red with this event, we've been in profit from day one with the support of corporate sponsors up front."
Ms Leeson would not disclose how many phone lines operated out of Canberra, but said the 300 volunteer counsellors in the ACT took the bulk of calls nationally.
Mr Heffernan said feedback about the new road had been positive.
"It's outstanding, there are a few bumps where it isn't finished but on the whole the feedback has been tremendous," he said.
Mr Heffernan said Audi Canberra and ACTEW Water had backed the event and lots of local business donated prizes.
Organisers hope to repeat the event next year, but in the future the start and finishing point could change from the Mount Majura Winery to the Ikea car park when it's built, Mr Heffernan said.
He said public transport had also worked smoothly for the event, with many runners and walkers choosing to take the bus service from Belconnen and Woden.
