.png)
City2Surf: 14km Of Fun In Sydney!
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Starting in the heart of Sydney and heading to the finish at Bondi Beach the 8.7 miles of the City2Surf 70,000 runner event are pretty special. Being involved in something of this scale is an experience in itself and with a course like this you are guaranteed a day you'll never forget, one way or another. There's also a 'Heartbreak Hill', not quite on the scale of Boston, but still pretty steep!
The Destination
Located on Australia's east coast, Sydney is the country's most populated city, with 658 suburbs across the Greater Sydney area, home to over 5 million people. It is capital of the state of New South Wales and often known as the Harbour City. Its the traditional home of the Gadigal people of the Eora Aboriginal Nation. It's most famous landmarks are the Sydney Opera House, with its distinctive white "sails," and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and they are amongst the most photographed attractions anywhere in the world. The Harbour is a constant flurry of activity from the famous ferries that criss cross daily, to thousands of leisure craft and the multiple cruise ships that call the city home in the summer.
There is so much to see in Sydney, that if you're visiting for City2Surf you'll need to give yourself plenty of time. There's world famous Taronga Zoo overlooking the harbour and nearby Luna Park amusement park. You can climb the Harbour Bridge and once you've done that The Rocks is a must see destination close by. The Australian Museum, near the start of the race, in Hyde Park is also well worth a visit. Darling Harbour entertainment complex needs at least a day and includes the Sea Life aquarium and much more. There are many restaurants there and throughout the city where you can spend way too much time!
Across the Harbour by ferry is beautiful Manly, the start of the city's Northern Beaches. Head a few kilometres north to Palm Beach, home of the famous TV show 'Home & Away'. The city's other famous suburb, Bondi, is where you'll finish the race so save plenty of time for that and the other Eastern Suburbs hot spots.
History
The first City2Surf was held on 5 September 1971 and was initially a 9.4-mile-long (15.1 km) run. It was inspired by San Francisco's Bay to Breakers and was originally organised by the Amateur Athletic Association of NSW and the NSW Women's Amateur Athletic Association. The first race had 1500 starters, mainly from the local running clubs. Ownership passed to Fairfax Media and over time it grew significantly thanks to the coverage from the group's newspapers and online channels and it became part of Sydney's social scene, Participation has peaked at over 80,000 runners in past decades. In 2018 Fairfax Media was sold to Nine Entertainment which included The Sun-Herald City2Surf. A year later it was taken on by Ironman, although it still gets significant marketing support from Nine's news team.
Race Organiser
The event was long run by Fairfax Events before being acquired by Ironman Group in 2019 following the Fairfax–Nine merger.
When?
The race is held annually in August
Distances
14km (8.7 miles)
Is there an Expo?
There is a three day expo where race bibs are collected. If you entered before a certain date bibs are posted. There are a number of exhibitors, but it's not on the scale of some of the big marathon events.
How many runners?
Around 70,000.
Course
It all starts in Hyde Park and you have to be there to believe the complex logistics involved in getting this many runners from the City to Bondi. From 7.40am to 9.40am there are a series of wave starts, based on expected finish times. Many runners will have finished before others have even started.
From the start at the intersection of Park Street and College Street it's downhill on William Street, heading east through the Kings Cross Tunnel, opened in 1975. Just before 2km there are stunning views across Rushcutters Bay and Double Bay at 4km. Runners continue along New South Head Road winding through Rose Bay. This exclusive suburb in Sydney’s east is located 7 km to the east of the Sydney central business district. It enjoys views of both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is home to the many sea planes that offer scenic flights of the city. It's then up the infamous “Heartbreak Hill” just before half way. The views from here are incredible and go some way to taking runners' minds off the challenge!
From here it's on to another of the city's most expensive suburbs, Vaucluse, where the course turns and heads south onto Old South Head Road, toward Bondi There are even more breathtaking ocean views on this stretch of the course. From Dover Heights there is a 2km downhill section before turning into Bondi a kilometre before the finish. The last few hundred metres through Bondi along Campbell Parade, before the run parallel to the beach on Queen Elizabeth Drive is a real highlight.
There are enough aid stations on route, with plenty of water available. The end of the event is extremely busy and as complex as it is to get all runners away on time the same applies at the end. There is a free bus service to get everyone back into the city, but they are extremely busy so it's best to enjoy Bondi and wait until it all quietens down.
What's unique?
The views of Sydney and the run along Bondi Beach on traffic free roads
Do charities benefit?
There are a number of charities that have spots. The event has raised around A$50 million since its inception and although the amounts raised have declined in recent years it is still an important fundraiser for local charities.
Our verdict
Definitely an iconic event. If you're in Australia at the time it's worth getting involved. When you're finished hang around in Bondi until the crowds have thinned out and enjoy the party atmosphere.
How to register
Online via the website. Entries are normally open until a few days before the event. There are also charity spots for anyone able to raise A$1000 for one of the partner charities.
Race website
Comments