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While many in Canberra were spending their Christmas morning unwrapping presents, sleeping in or preparing themselves for the eventual post-lunch food coma, hundreds started their festive celebrations with a run. More than 300 Canberrans began the day with a Christmas Day Parkrun at Weston Park. While the weekly five-kilometre runs normally take place on Saturday, an extra event was held on December 25 to get runners into the Christmas spirit. Among the sea of activewear were gingerbread costumes and dozens of Santa hats, Christmas baubles and dogs in elf costumes and tinsel. There were also runners who were there with literal bells on. Event organiser Dave Turner said the event was a way to bring people together on Christmas morning. "The concept behind Parkrun is to get in with the community, but on days like Christmas, some people might not have friends of family to go to and this is an opportunity to keep the community spirit," he said. "Today's run's a special one." The Weston Park Parkrun was one of three events being held across Canberra on Christmas Day with ones in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong also happening. Canberra's Christmas Parkrun began last year, following the success of similar Christmas runs around Australia. Mr Turner said it's a tradition he hopes continues. "It was so lovely last year, and everyone here is friendly and it's the best possible way to start the day," he said. "Some people use this to get rid of the Christmas pudding calories before they eat it." While many of the runners at the event were regulars for Canberra Parkruns, others had come in from overseas, some visiting from as far away as the UK or South Africa. For Narrabundah resident Sonya Shamsullah, the Christmas Parkrun was her first. "My girlfriend encouraged me to do a Parkrun and invited me several times before," Ms Shamsullah said. "I thought today would be a fairly quiet and sleepy day, and I'm an early-morning riser, and thought it would be good to come out with a group of people. "Everyone's in a happy mood today and not time-pressured." READ MORE: At the other end of the Parkrun spectrum, Gary Bowen was completing his 362nd run since he started in 2012, alongside his partner Patricia, who has been doing Parkruns since 2018. "I just do them to keep fit and make sure I'm doing something in retirement," Mrs Bowen said. Mr Bowen said it was the community aspect of the event that kept him coming back. "It's all inclusive, it doesn't matter if you're one-year-old or 98," he said. "People have lots of food and drink around Christmas, and this was a way to empty the belly before the next session." Mrs Bowen was in agreement. "It feels like you've done something for the day, as you're going back for a second helping of pudding."

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