SYDNEY, Australia / TAMPA, Fla./ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Australia’s City2Surf celebrated a record turnout for its 54th year with almost 80,000 participants crossing the finish line of the world’s largest fun run on Sunday 11 August.
The streets of Sydney, Australia, came alive with energy as a sea of runners, walkers, dancers, pram pushers and everything in between made their way along the iconic 14-kilometre course from the Central Business District (CBD) to Bondi Beach.
The elite races were both won by Australians, with Adelaide’s Isaac Heyne and Canberra’s Leanne Pompeani claiming the 2024 City2Surf titles.
From humble beginnings in 1971 where just over 1,500 participants took to the start line, the City2Surf has grown to become Australia’s unmissable running race which this year saw the most ever finishers – almost 80,000 – in the event’s history.
Set to a raucous party atmosphere, the City2Surf began in the heart of Sydney’s CBD alongside Hyde Park before winding participants through the streets of the city. At the halfway point participants tackled the infamous Heartbreak Hill, presented by AIA, which once crested offered scenic views of the city and its magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge. From there, the home stretch of the course took in breathtaking ocean views as the world-famous Bondi Beach entered sight, with participants completing their journey on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Bondi.
The celebrations of finishers and their supporters began in earnest on Sunday morning and continued late into the evening, with the City2Surf renowned for its joyous after-parties. This year’s event is expected to inject more than AUD$35 million in the economy as restaurants, bars, and other local establishments are packed out for the day.
Meanwhile, participants in this year’s City2Surf have already raised $3.7 million for charity, smashing its original $3.5 million target, and with plenty more donations still to add to the final tally the event is on track to break a total of $4 million in fundraising for 2024.
Amid the vast swell of charity runners were 21 firefighters kitted out in 20 kilograms of gear and equipment. Fire and Rescue New South Wales Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell was among them, taking part in his first City2Surf to raise money for the burns unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, based in Western Sydney, through the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“It’s my very first time doing the City2Surf, so I didn’t quite know what to expect and then just to make it a little more difficult we decided to wear our firefighting gear, breathing apparatus and helmets, so really a big step into the unknown but it was a lot of fun. Really glad we did it and for us, it was a great chance to raise so money for the burns unit at the Children’s Hospital,” said Fewtrell.
“It was fantastic, lots of people cheering along the way, both spectators and other runners, even those people doing it tough up a hill were shouting words of encouragement to us so that was really nice, and some lovely interactions with people along the road as well, people there with their kids or in families groups, just cheering us along and giving high fives.”
Fewtrell says his team of firefighters are set to raise more than $100,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ben Carty, from Sydney, was another participant who made his day that little bit harder, completing the 14km course while pushing a bright blue wheelbarrow. He was joined by a group of builders, all also pushing wheelbarrows, to raise money and awareness for mental health among construction workers.
“It was amazing out there, great atmosphere and lots of encouragement, a lot of people dressed up and a lot of people running for different causes, so it was really great,” said Carty.
“We’re raising money for Beyond Blue [an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation], as we’re passionate about making a difference for mental health, especially in the construction industry. I think we’ve just ticked over $8,500 and we’re trying to get to $10,000.”
The City2Surf is an event that welcomes everyone from all walks of life, ages and abilities. This year, almost two thirds of participants took to the course for the very first time. Among them was Sophie Patrick Hall, originally from the UK, who has been living in Sydney for the past two years.
“It was so much fun, I’m very grateful for where we live, this place is insane. It was my first City2Surf and it was unbelievable, I wish I’d done it every year,” said Hall. “I can’t believe people would wear headphones on this course, the sound and atmosphere are unbelievable I was just soaking it all in. There were bands, people on the side of the street cheering, little kids giving away sweets, it was the best.”
While thousands were taking part in their first City2Surf, a dedicated group of 16 Legends were taking part in their 54th City2Surf – every year since its inception in 1971 – including Sydney local Laurie Coleman.
“It was warm out there today but so nice, I loved it. Everybody that saw my t-shirt said, ‘go legend’, and it really kept me going. I’m so happy to do what I did,” said Coleman. “I keep coming back because it’s the best day of the year, I wouldn’t miss it for anything, and I just hope that I can do a few more.”
Australians Heyne and Pompeani Claim Elite Titles
While the City2Surf is primarily a fun run, it also puts on one of the most competitive elite road running races in Australia.
Two of the most in-form runners in the country, Isaac Heyne (AUS) and Leanne Pompeani (AUS), claimed the men’s and women’s titles at the 2024 City2Surf, with both runners impressing on their way to victory.
For Heyne it was a win on his City2Surf debut, crossing the line in 40:50, just over a minute clear of defending champion Ed Goddard (AUS), with Thomas Do Canto (AUS) third.
“I’ve worked pretty hard, I’m pretty wrecked but pretty happy that I’ve taken the win,” said Heyne. “The start was unreal, the atmosphere was unreal, I just had to settle into my pace, I worked pretty hard up that hill but I’ve been trying to do that stuff a little bit in training so it wasn’t anything new and then the downhills were fantastic.
“I think I feed off the energy of the crowd, so when people give it to you it helps you run that little bit faster, whether it’s on the ups or the downs, particularly late in the race, it’s a fantastic atmosphere.”
Leanne Pompeani made it two wins in three years, with the 2022 champion finishing the 14km course in 45:38, a minute and a half ahead of Paige Campbell (AUS), with Bronte Oates (AUS) rounding out the podium.
“I’m super relieved, I was really nervous coming into this race, the competition, the course mainly, but super happy to get my second win,” said Pompeani. “The key to success is winning the hills, the hills are my strength and it’s a strength game, I’m from Canberra where there’s lots of hills so I’m always running over them, whether it’s a workout or an easy run.
“I go into races expecting someone to be with me and just going hard from the gun. It was amazing out there, it was so loud, there is no other race in Australia like this, the whole way you have people coming out from their front doors to cheer you on, including right down to the finish line it’s even louder.”
For more on the City2Surf visit https://city2surf.com.au/
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Craig Heydon
Public Relations & Media Director, The IRONMAN Group Oceania
Mob: 0402 318 918
Ruth Bowerman
Media Manager, The IRONMAN Group Oceania
M: +64 21 209 6978
About City2Surf
The City2Surf is Sydney’s iconic 14km fun run, stretching from the CBD to the world-famous Bondi Beach. The event has been held since 1971, taking its inspiration from the San Francisco Bay to Breakers run. Over time it has grown into the world’s largest fun run, with the 2024 event attracting 90,000 registered runners. The event is an important fundraising event for charitable organisations, with more than $55m AUD raised since 2008. For more on the event visit www.city2surf.com.au.
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150
Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB®, Epic Series mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.
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