Under blue skies and bright sun, competitors on the first day of the Australian running festival took to the streets of Canberra on Saturday morning.
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The adidas 10k event began 7am, followed by the adidas 5km at 9am, which took participants to Lennox Gardens and around Parliament and Old Parliament House.
It was just over 15 minutes before the first place-getter crossed the finish line.
Timothy Lefroy, an avid running competitor who recently moved from Western Australia to Canberra for work, was first over the line in 15 minutes 30 seconds.
"It was a good race, good weather, and it was a beautiful course, too," Lefroy said.
In second place was Mitch Dean from NSW who came in at 15 minutes and 53 seconds, while third place went to Jono Windsor from Lyneham who came in at 16 minutes and 13 seconds.
For women the first place went to Kaleen-resident Emily Ryan who came in at 18 minutes and 13 seconds, followed just two seconds later by Audrey Amiya-Hall from Cronulla in NSW.
Coming in third was Jessica Pascoe from Murrumbateman, who was just nine seconds behind the winner at 18 minutes and 22 seconds.
Young gun Talon Cass-Dunbar was thrilled to finish off a big week with a personal best in the race.
The red-head stood next to the 'red heads rule' sign when he met Prince Harry on Monday in Canberra, and beat his personal best in the event on Saturday morning with a time of 22.50.
"I do the five kilometre regularly with Gungahlin parkrun, it's just good to keep it up so I'm ready for real races," Talon said.
As Talon crossed the finish line, his proud mother was cheering him on, thrilled with his personal best.
"I'm so proud of him, he really tries his hardest with whatever he does, he puts his heart and soul into it," Jannette Cass-Dunbar said.
In the older age group, Andy McConaghy, 60, ran the race with gusto. He said he was exhausted by the
end, but he had the endurance to pick up the pace when a younger competitor tried to pass him.
"I was running with little kids, but I didn't let a little kid beat me at the end," Andy said.
The marathon, half-marathon and ultra-marathon for the Australian Running Festival will be held on Sunday from 6am. Competitors are expected to cross the finish line at King George Terrace in front of Old Parliament House.
On Sunday, competitors will have the opportunity to run the ultra marathon, marathon or half marathon courses, for which entries are still open.
Spectators can view the start and finish of the races, from 6am, at King George Terrace in front of Old Parliament House. For course details, road closure information or to enter, visit www.runningfestival.com.au.
The festival aims to raise $250,000 for more than 250 charities in 2015.
