ACT emergency services personnel decked out in their thermals to brave the icy cold and wind along the five-kilometre track that makes up the Darren Wall Fun Run.

Mr Wall died of a heart attack in 1999 but his legacy continues through the run, now in its 16th year.

He was passionate about living a healthy life and established many fitness programs for firefighters, becoming Fire & Rescue's first fitness co-ordinator.

Fire & Rescue chief officer Mark Brown said: "It's great to see so many firefighters come down here and participate. Darren was a real proponent ... for our fitness programs."

The fun run benefits a different charity each year. This year's selection, Soldier On, supports serving and former serving military personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses.

But what's a fun run without some healthy competition between the emergency services?

"We have a bit of a challenge every year, particularly with the ambulance service. They've beaten us the past couple of years so we really want to win," Mr Brown said.

"Sixteen of our new recruit firefighters, who have only just started their training, are here so we hope there's a good runner among them."

However, a win for Fire & Rescue wasn't meant to be this year: ambulance staff took out first, second and third places.

Gavin Godkin crossed the finish line first with a time of 17 minutes and 51 seconds.