THE SKY WAS still dark when walkers in yellow t-shirts began to gather at the Chesterfield Avenue entrance to Dublin’s Phoenix Park last Saturday morning.

At 4.15am, 15,000 people headed off on a 5km Darkness Into Light course through the park, finishing just in time for sunrise.

But the Phoenix Park was just one of 180 Darkness Into Light locations worldwide. The event, proudly sponsored by Electric Ireland for the last six years, has grown from 400 walkers in 2009 to a 200,000-strong group around the world, all raising funds for the suicide charity Pieta House.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s photos, from four continents and seven timezones…

Phoenix Park, Dublin

Walkers in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Harry Murphy / Sportsfile Harry Murphy / Sportsfile / Sportsfile

Conor and Jennifer McIntyre with their children Jennifer and Nina. Harry Murphy / Sportsfile Harry Murphy / Sportsfile / Sportsfile

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at the walk. Harry Murphy / Sportsfile Harry Murphy / Sportsfile / Sportsfile

Dean Conway and Paul Hunt pictured at the walk. Harry Murphy / Sportsfile Harry Murphy / Sportsfile / Sportsfile

Bondi Beach, Sydney

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Hong Kong

Happy walkers by the water in Hong Kong. Instagram / dilhongk Instagram / dilhongk / dilhongk

Albert Park, Melbourne

Kite Beach, Dubai

View this post on Instagram

Sir James Mitchell Park, Perth

This 'Hope' structure was erected especially for the event. Instagram / darknessintolightperthwa Instagram / darknessintolightperthwa / darknessintolightperthwa

The starting point at Sir James Mitchell Park in Perth. Instagram / darknessintolightperthwa Instagram / darknessintolightperthwa / darknessintolightperthwa

Brittania Beach, Ottawa

Walkers gather at Ottawa's Brittania Beach. Facebook / Darkness Into Light Ottawa Facebook / Darkness Into Light Ottawa / Darkness Into Light Ottawa

Together Electric Ireland and Pieta House would like to thank the 200,000 participants who woke up and walked from Darkness Into Light and the thousands more who made it possible. Together we helped create a better future for everyone.

For more information on Darkness Into Light and the work done by Pieta House, visit pieta.ie.

If you need to talk, contact:

• Pieta House 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie (suicide, self-harm)
• Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
• Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)