The City 2 Surf, 2012

Published in ‘Newslink’, Headstart ABI Service, September 2012.

Running shirt? Check. Running shoes? Check. Yellow bib and bio-trac tag? Check. Shaved and kempt looking face? Check.

Arising at the YHA, I greeted a moody looking sky. ‘You’d better be prepared for rain,’ I thought- the logos pinned to my shirt soon came off. A good thing too, as I doubt that the sight of bits of paper flapping from some shirt would instil much confidence in anyone!

Within the next hour and a half I had arrived at Hyde Park. After checking my bags in with the baggage trucks, I nestled in close beside thousands of other people, excitedly waiting for my group to let go. To offer encouragement, Kate Cerebrano emerged to help all in the crowd warm up their lungs. “Pash me, pash me!!” we cried out as one- the hilarity of the moment not escaping me!

Then came the gun and we set off down William Street. Near the start I glimpsed a poster which urged runners to, “run like you stole something!” When later I saw the policemen’s team, this seemed to be good advice. Climbing the face of Heartbreak Hill I happened to pass Pikachu, who had me looking behind for pursuing Pokemon. Once I mounted that crest, it happened that Where’s Wally? (and after the finish, his attractive sisters) made an appearance. Even the chaps entirely clad in spandex came along for the day!

69,126 people dashed towards Bondi that day, raising $ 3.45 million; of my own efforts, I raised several hundred for NSW BIA. Good work all ‘round, I say.  Never mind the aches and pains, I’m still chuffed I ran- a bit of exercise never seemed a idea bad to me! To my sponsors and the organisers of the C2S- thanks, y’all!