Today has been a long day as I tackled the worlds biggest race, the 2009 City to Surf. 75,000 runners lined up this morning to run or walk the 14km from Sydney City Centre to Bondi Beach. But before reaching the start line at about 7:45am I had to set the alarm and get myself to the bus pick up for 5:30am. I was lucky enough to get on a bus of local runners which made the transport to and from the race much easier than it might have been.
It was quite a cold morning in Sydney and it was quite a sight to see most of the clothing tossed to the side on the gun. I'm told that Charity stores do a brisk trade in the lead up to the event and then come back to collect it all after the start! As this was my first year I was placed in the third of four groups, we didn't move for 18 minutes as the rest of the field snaked off into the distance. My aim this year was to run fast enough to get a "preferred start" next year. The cut off for that is 75 minutes and so that was my target.
ABC News Video ClipI managed to start towards the front of my group (... by group I say 15,000 - 20,000 runners!) and get as clear a run as I could. I still had to weave wildly through the crowds and so running an even pace or in a straight line was impossible. I felt good throughout the first 10km, gobbled up "Heartbreak Hill" and spat it out. I actually got to 10km faster than I have run my two 10km races since March!
I kicked on from there running the last four strongly on what had become quite a warm morning. It was an awesome experience running with so many people. There were people of every ability, shapes, sizes and costumes. People lined the route from start to finish, bands played ... some people even set up their own drinks stations with homemade lemonade.
A perfect day.... I'll be back fitter and faster next year ... oh and in the preferred entry section after running 61.52! ;0)
From the Sydney Morning Herald -
Streams of sweat from a record 75,000 weary runners have flowed into Bondi as this year's City2Surf cemented itself as the world's biggest fun run. Bare calves and knees stormed Hyde Park on Sunday morning, with a record number of professional and amateur runners taking part in the 14km race. Competitors came from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds but all crossed the line bearing the same sweat-laden brows and haggard cheeks.
It was the 39th City2Surf to be staged and the 36th time Clovelly grandfather Col Blake has decided to take on the race and battle the stamina-killing ``Heartbreak Hill'' between Rose Bay and Vaucluse.
The world's biggest fun run not only attracted some of Australia's most serious marathon runners but also wannabe superheroes, cartoon characters and a parade of walking mushrooms.A buff, half-naked Spartan warrior with faux metal armour was a favourite for a group of grannies who had taken to cheering participants across the line. Many runners in true Australian fashion crossed the line asking for a beer well before midday.
It was third time lucky for Gold Coast student Michael Shelley, who won the City2Surf in a time of 41:02, well outside Steve Moneghetti's 1991 record of 40:03.Striding down the home stretch to the finish line, last-year's runner-up was visibly relieved knowing that after two previous attempts, he had finally won the 14km race.
Deaf swim instructor Melinda Vernon, 23, was the fastest woman, coming in at 47:46, more than two minutes outside the women's record.
