Australia's most popular and famous running event is on yet again on Sunday the 11th of August 2013. From its humble beginnings in 1971, the annual Sun Herald City2Surf attracts well over 80,000 participants each year.
The City2Surf is a 14km annual fun run that starts at Sydney's Hyde Park and ends at Bondi Beach. The course mainly runs through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs from the Kings Cross Bridge to Edgecliff, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and of course, Bondi. It is the positive energy and the sometimes pleasant distractions that gets you addicted and wanting to come back for more and more. The 2013 event will mark the ninth time I have successfully competed in this event. That is if I make it, of course.
If you wish to be with a group of runners, and regardless as to whether you wish to participate in the City2Surf for the first time, or you are a seasoned City2Surf entrant; it is advisable to register for the blue start group as quickly as you can. Why? The blue start group is ever so popular and is the fastest group to fill up. For joggers and walkers, you are advised to enter the Westpac yellow start. This group is entertained with group stretching exercises, and in 2012 the Yellow start group were entertained by Kate Cebrano. Both the blue and yellow start groups commence at College Street.
If you wish to walk or dress up, then it is advisable to register for the orange start group. This is the new 'back of the pack.'
Music and other entertainment is provided along the way, both by the organisers and local residents on the course of this 14km run or walk. Be prepared for 'heartbreak hill' at Rose Bay. This area is also well known for the people who dress up as Smurfs - just be careful not to get any blue dye on you. You will know when you're near the waterside.
Plenty of Gatorade and water is provided along the way, and also at the finishing line. Every participant who completes the somewhat challenging 14km course receives a finishers medal, as well as a complimentary copy of The Sun Herald. If you're a Westpac, St George or Bank of Melbourne customer, remember to grab your red wristband to gain free entry into the Westpac chill out area (Red Zone) at the expo, or bring proof that you have at least one account with one of these banks on the day. The City2Surf expo is usually held three days before the event at Lower Town Hall. This is where people who register after a certain cut off date (usually after June) need to go to in order to pick up their race pack which includes their bib and other race information. Westpac customers can pick up their red zone tag any day of the expo, while St George and Bank of Melbourne customers can only do so from the second day of the expo onwards.
At the Westpac chill out zone, a free sausage sizzle lunch is provided as well as cups of Gatorade. At the 2011 event, a memento photo was available, and at the 2012 event Westpac, St George and Bank of Melbourne customers received massages and lollipops. Great recovery indeed, unless if you're fortunate to be part of a corporate marquee.
Be patient when leaving Bondi Beach after your participation in this event. Chances are, some other participants are yet to complete their event. Although there are an abundance of buses available to take you back to Bondi Junction; remember with 80,000 people, patience is a virtue. To head back into the city, you will need to catch a train from Bondi Junction train station. Your entry fee includes free public transport travel upon presentation of your race bib to get you to the event and back home again. From Bondi Beach, I joined the fair few who walked to Bondi Junction, and twice in a row too. The adrenalin factor is well alive if you're fit and well - you might feel like wanting to run the course again. It is not advisable to complete the course if you're feeling unwell, and/or you have just re-located to another city.
It is absolutely critical to train in advance. Sydney puts on a variety of different run clubs where people can train in groups for free or a low fee months prior to this event. Looking forward to August 2013 once more.
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