Some were in their pyjamas at the Dunedin Botanic Garden on Saturday morning, acknowledging the theme chosen for the day before the winter solstice.
They ran or walked 5km for the popular weekly gathering.
The Dunedin parkrun started about 12 years ago.
Event director Tania Hollis said Saturday’s attendance was mainly regulars, as it tended to be in winter and in the rain.
There were 198 participants and 20 volunteers, she said.
They included some quick runners and ‘‘very persistent walkers, who obviously take a lot longer to do the course, especially when it’s raining’’, Ms Hollis said.
‘‘And they still came and did it to celebrate the 600th, so that was fantastic.’’
Last month’s reopening of a cafe at the botanic garden, now called the Aster cafe, was appreciated, as people could go there after their exercise, she said.
Parkrun volunteer Martin Jones said themes at different times of year, such as Christmas and Halloween, provided an excuse to dress up.
‘‘You’re not out there because you’re training for the Olympics — you’re out there to have fun and camaraderie,’’ he said.
Mr Jones said a parkrun started in Oamaru a month ago and there were intentions to begin another within the greater Dunedin area.
The run at the Dunedin Botanic Garden could get a bit crowded — the city could easily accommodate another to ease the pressure, he said.
They were looking to drum up more volunteers for that, he said.
