The World’s Largest Fun Run, The City2Surf, Returns In Sydney This Sunday

August 8, 2024

- 90,000 participants have registered to take part in the largest ever edition of Sydney’s iconic event - Runners will take on a 14km course between Sydney’s CBD and the famous Bondi Beach

SYDNEY, Australia / TAMPA, Fla. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The City2Surf, the world’s largest fun run, returns to the streets of Sydney this Sunday 11 August, with 90,000 runners registering for the 2024 sold-out event.

Sunday’s City2Surf is set to be the largest in the event’s history, with a record-breaking sea of runners to make their way along the world famous 14km course between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and Bondi Beach.

Inspiration for the City2Surf came via a note from Fairfax’s US correspondent in 1970 to the editor of Sydney’s The Sun newspaper, Jack Tier, which was accompanied by a newspaper clipping about the San Francisco Bay to Breakers. From that internal memorandum The Sun City2Surf was born – albeit humbly, in 1971 – with just over 1,500 entrants.

The City2Surf is a true community event that attracts entrants from all walks of life and of all ages. Today’s fun run is now the largest fun run in the world and one of the most loved community events around the globe. The sold out 2024 is set to be the largest on record with 90,000 registered participants.

The iconic 14-kilometre course begins in the heart of Sydney’s CBD alongside Hyde Park before guiding participants through the streets of the city. The infamous Heartbreak Hill, presented by AIA, marks the halfway point and one of the most scenic parts of the course, where participants can stop for a selfie with the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge behind them. The home stretch takes in breathtaking ocean views as the world-famous Bondi Beach comes into sight, with participants completing their journey on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Bondi.

Tanya Carroll, City2Surf Regional Director, said that the team was looking forward to welcoming runners to the streets of Sydney on Sunday.

“The support from runners this year has been incredible, and with 90,000 signed up to take part in the 2024 City2Surf this will be our biggest ever event,” said Carroll. “Thanks to our event partners and stakeholders for their ongoing support of the event and we look forward to a record-breaking day on Sunday with 90,000 City2Surf entrants.

“The City2Surf holds a special place in the hearts of so many people in Sydney, it allows people to experience the best that Sydney has to offer and provides a great opportunity to come together and train for a common goal,” said Carroll. “The event also plays an important role for a number of charitable organisations, with City2Surf runners raising over $55 million (AUD) for charities since 2008, and the event aiming to raise over $3.5 million this year.

“One of the things we love about the City2Surf is that it’s open to people of all abilities, with people running, walking, pushing prams, using wheelchairs and even dancing their way from the CBD to Bondi Beach. We love the community atmosphere of this event, with it bringing people from all walks of life together and is a great celebration of being active,” she said.

Over its 54 year history the City2Surf has become synonymous with raising funds for charity, with more than 500 groups set to be supported by runners in 2024. Some of the interesting stories included in this year’s event include:

• 21 Firefighters will be taking on the 14km course in full equipment and breathing apparatus, supporting the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
• A group of 10 builders will be pushing wheelbarrows in Sunday’s event, raising money for mental health organisation Beyond Blue
• Rio’s Legacy founder Ryan Fowler will be running more than 325km in eight days, beginning in Canberra and culminating at the City2Surf with the goal of raising more than $50,000 towards a new children’s hospice in Western Sydney
• Frank Truong will be juggling a soccer ball between the CBD and Bondi, raising funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney
• Jarrett Anthoney is taking part in his 11^th City2Surf, aiming to break the $100,000 fundraising mark for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
• Bondi boys school Waverley College will have a team of 250 taking part in City2Surf and have already raised more than $18,000 for Running for Premature Babies

For more on the City2Surf visit https://city2surf.com.au/.

Event media accreditation can be accessed here

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For more information please contact:

Craig Heydon
craig.heydon@ironman.com
Public Relations & Media Director, The IRONMAN Group Oceania
Mob: 0402 318 918

Ruth Bowerman
ruth.bowerman@ironman.com
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-Trail™ 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, providing participants 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 14,000 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.