City to Surf

City to Surf (or City2Surf) is a popular road running event held annually in both Sydney and Perth, Australia in which participants race from the city area to a nearby beach. The Sydney event is a 14 kilometre course and the Perth event has various courses from 4 to 12 kilometres. Both events are "fun runs" as well as races, attracting both serious runners and community participants who can choose to run or to walk.

Sydney

The Sydney City2Surf has been held as an annual event since the first run on September 5, 1971. It was conceived by the staff of The Sun (now The Sun-Herald) and inspired by the Bay to Breakers event in San Francisco. Approximately 2000 people competed in the first event. Since 1973 it has been held on the second Sunday in August, except for the race held in 2000, moved to July due to the Sydney Olympics in August.

In recent years, over 60 000 people have entered the annual 14km Sydney race, which has become the largest timed running race in Australia. It is still primarily sponsored and organised by The Sun-Herald. As of 2008, the course starts in four groups. Runners expected to complete the course in under 75 minutes are in the first group and runners expected to complete in under 100 minutes in the second group. Other entrants may select between a third runners group and the fourth "Back of the Pack" group if walking, using a wheelchair or pushing child strollers.

The route taken by the entrants passes through the suburbs of Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Dover Heights and Bondi Beach. The most difficult part of the course is "Heartbreak Hill" at the halfway mark, a 2km long steep ascent from Rose Bay to Vaucluse along New South Head Road.

The course record is 40:03, set by Steve Moneghetti in 1991. The women's record is 45:08 minutes, set by Susie Power in 2001. Non-Australian athletes have typically won the race in recent years, including repeat winners Laban Chege (1999–2000), Patrick Nyangelo Lusato (2003–2005), and Dickson Marwa (2006–2007). In 2008, Martin Dent became the first Australian winner since Lee Troop in 1997. Marwa was competing in the 2008 Olympics.

Features en-route include many amateur bands performing along the suburban roads, and many City2Surf participants dressed in novelty themed costumes.

Sydney Winners (Male)

Year	Name	Country	Time
2008	Martin Dent		41' 12"
2007	Dickson Marwa		41' 10"
2006	Dickson Marwa		40' 49"
2005	Patrick Nyangelo Lusato		41' 12"
2004	Patrick Nyangelo Lusato		41' 04"
2003	Patrick Nyangelo Lusato		41' 55"
2002	Jussi Utrianen		41' 37"
2001	John Msuri		40' 24"
2000	Laban Chege		40' 25"
1999	Laban Chege		40' 27"
1998	Daniel Browne		41' 35"
1997	Lee Troop		40' 55"
1996	John Morepedi		40' 19"
1995	John Morepedi		41' 05"

Sydney Winners (Female)

Year	Name	Country	Time
2008	Rebecca Lowe		47' 18"
2007	Jessica Ruthe		46' 33"
2006	Anna Thompson		47' 15"
2005	Kerryn McCann		46' 27"
2004	Hayley McGregor		46' 22"
2003	Hayley McGregor		47' 28"
2002	Susie Power		45' 50"
2001	Susie Power		45' 08"
2000	Susan Hobson		48' 24"
1999	Kylie Risk		46' 25"
1998	Kerryn McCann		48' 10"
1997	Elizabeth Miller		47' 30"
1996	Heather Turland		46' 43"
1995	Elizabeth Wilson		47' 05"

Notable events

Deaths during the race have occurred several times. In both 2000 and 2008 a competitor died of a heart attack close to the finish line of the race. After the 2008 death medical academic Michael O'Rourke noted that a runner developing arrhythmia and cardiac arrest happens most years but that the sufferer is usually revived.

Perth

The Perth event was first held in 1975. It is held annually and organised by the Activ Foundation. Over 25,000 people, participated in the 2005 race over the 12km course or 11km wheelchair course stretching from Perth to City Beach, or a shorter 4km course from Perry Lakes to City Beach.

The course record is 35:24, set in 2006 by Brett Cartwright.

References

External links

• Sun Herald City 2 Surf website - Sydney
• City to Surf website - Perth
• City swell carries African to his hat-trick