Hundreds of athletes from around the country turned out for the start of the Australian Running Festival in Canberra this afternoon.
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The two-day event started with the five-kilometre run at 1pm, the 10-kilometre dash at 3pm and the 10-kilometre fun run at 4pm.
Victorian runner Sam Crowther was first to cross the line in the 10-kilometre dash with a time of 31:42, edging out Jacob Cocks who finised in 31:57.
Third place went to Chadi Elashkar.
Canberra athlete Natasha Cole was first across the line for the women in the 10-kilometre dash with a time of 37:24, she was followed by Christine Wolfson with a time of 39:12 and Dominique Ferguson who came third in 40:55.
In the five-kilometre event, Riley Cocks came first with a time of 15:12, followed by Reilly Shaw in 15:55 and Brayden Clews-Proctor in 16:13. For the women, Anita Keem took first place in a time of 17:23, followed by Natalie Archer in second and Keely Small third.
The festival continues tomorrow, with thousands expected to turn out to compete in or watch the half, full and ultra marathons.
The festival has raised a record $135,000 for more than 170 Australian charities and is supported by local clubs including the YMCA of Canberra Runners Club.
Race director Fred Taylor said he was excited by the response the event had received in Canberra.
"So many people turned out today to take part," he said.
"We look forward to the turn out tomorrow when marathon runners will compete in what will be a spectacular course around our nation's capital."