Over the past 50 years, City2Surf has transformed from a humble, local road race to the world’s largest fun run attracting more than 85,000 participants from across the globe. History tells us that the inspiration for this great event came via a note from Fairfax’s US correspondent, who sent a …
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Over the past 50 years, City2Surf has transformed from a humble, local road race to the world’s largest fun run attracting more than 85,000 participants from across the globe.
History tells us that the inspiration for this great event came via a note from Fairfax’s US correspondent, who sent a newspaper clipping in 1970 about the San Francisco Bay to Breakers event to the editor of The Sun newspaper, Jack Tier. From that internal memorandum The Sun City2Surf was born, albeit humbly, in 1971, with just over 2,025 entrants (only 2% of the field was female).
The reputation of this uniquely Sydney event has grown year on year and the event is widely recognised as a ‘bucket-list’ item for serious runners and adventure lovers around the world. The Telegraph listed the event as one of the 16 Great Running Races Around the World, whilst Runner’s World lists the event in their 20 Races To Do Before You Die and Running Shoes Guru lists the event as one of the Top Ten Running Races In The World. In each of these lists, the City2Surf was the only Australian event to be featured.
The Course
City2Surf has one of the most iconic courses in the world. Experience the thrill of starting the 14km event in Australia’s largest city in the middle of its bustling CBD before making your way to one of the world’s most famous beaches – Bondi Beach.
The race starts at the intersection of Park Street and College Street before participants make their way downhill on William Street and head up through the Kings Cross Tunnel.
The course continues along New South Head Road winding through Rose Bay, then up the infamous Heartbreak Hill, presented by AIA – the halfway point and one of the most scenic parts of the course.
Runners then turn the corner at Vaucluse onto Old South Head Road, then Military Road and down the hill as they take in breathtaking ocean views, before completing a turnaround at Curlewis Street, and crossing the finish line on Queen Elizabeth Drive at Bondi.
Once you cross the finish line, don’t forget to grab your Finisher’s Medal and snap a selfie before heading to the event village to relax and recover!
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Biggest Run in the World
Today's Race Report I ran the City2Surf in Sydney, a 14k event (that is about 8.7 miles though most end up running 9 miles). They claim it is the world's … MORE
Today’s Race Report
I ran the City2Surf in Sydney, a 14k event (that is about 8.7 miles though most end up running 9 miles). They claim it is the world’s largest non-competitive run. There were 65,000 people. This was the only time I have ever run where it has been crowded, not just moderately but densely, from start to finish, with the need to wind around people and avoid crashing.
As you might expect, there were corrals rather than a single mass start. Even with corrals, however, it was slow going. There was about a three minute delay from the time the Singapore Airlines Blue gun went off until the middle of that group crossed over the start line.
The course is scenic. The event is the equivalent of Bay to Breakers. It starts at Hyde Park right downtown and ends up on Bondi Beach. There is one hill in a residential area, called Heartbreak Hill as all of these seem to be. It isn’t bad compared to San Francisco. But it is long. (Addendum: unlike Bay to Breakers, no naked people. However, a smattering of costumed folks, such as the chicken who was just ahead of me the whole way.)
The most positive aspect of today’s run is my performance relative to the field as the race progressed. I became faster and faster. My final time put me just below the middle of the pack.
If you run and you are in Sydney, this is a must. If you are with non-runners, they have a fun section, full of families with children, so they also can join.