Adorned with our green departure wave bibs and donned in dressing gowns and blankets to keep warm, the intrepid crew boarded the 6:15 am Manly Ferry for Circular Quay. As way of explanation, the blankets and dressing gowns are discarded at the race start and recycled back into the charity clothing stores. It’s quite a sight to see 80,000 runners strip off layers of clothing and throw them through the air to the sides of the path. As City to Surf veterans, with 5 races to our names, it has become our tradition to purchase layers of clothing / blankets from the charity shops prior to the big race. Despite the availability of some stunning one-sies, our accompanying children directed us to more conservative dressing gowns.
Sydney City to Surf is a must do run/ walk experience. It remains my favourite running event for the carnival atmosphere on the course, the gorgeous running route and final destination at Bondi. It is not, however, for the agoraphobic.
The race starts in waves at Hyde Park and follows the Cross City Tunnel through Darlinghurst. It is a tour of bays from Rushcutters, Double and onto Rose Bay. Many runners anticipate the infamous heart break hill of New South Heads Road but few are prepared for the hill climbs in the first few kilometres of the event. Hearts have been shattered much earlier in this race. Comfort can be sought from the beautiful views of the spectacular harbour and the entertainment along the course.
Each year the stalwarts’ dancing blue Smurfs provide early encouragement and are backed up by the swaying Hari Krishna’s and multiple musical numbers along the way. Locals line the course with encouragement and lollies to boost the weary and broken. One entrepreneurial little girl was selling prettily decorated cupcakes, perhaps for the back of the pack run/ walkers? We ran in good company, from storm troopers, hula dancers to super heroes.
The race follows the u shape of Vaucluse, a location name associated with investment bankers and surgeons. From kilometre 9 and 10 I recognize we are nearly there and quietly celebrate in the knowledge that the last few kilometres is a downwards grade through Dover Heights to Bondi. The first glimpses of Bondi provide a spark of hope, to many a depleted runner, that the finish line is close. This anticipation is only for the uninitiated, however, as the course weaves another kilometre with a cruel twist that leaves you wondering if it is ever going to end.
After crossing over the finish line, immersion of tender feet and weary calves in the soothing waves at Bondi is a perfect way to top off a great run. True to race plan, my daughter, Caitlyn and I crossed the line together as did Bronwyn and her son Hugo. Well done team!
Long before BOTR was formed, another City to Surf tradition has included a recovery walk around the stunning coastal walk from
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| Eggs Benedict |
Bondi to Bronte followed by a rewarding breakfast. Bronte is a perfect backdrop to enjoy Sydney’s coastal lifestyle with a quaint village feel. There is a great selection of cafes at Bronte and I will admit our choice of Jenny’s this year was a product of where-ever seating was available. Friendly service and great food rounded off a successful morning. The plates coming out of the kitchen provided a promise of generous portions: a happy prospect for our hungry four. The menu at Jenny’s is tempting. The breakfast is available all day but our 11am dining time presented appealing options in the lunch menu. I ordered the eggs benedict with bacon and a side of tomatoes ($16.50 + $4). The eggs were cooked perfectly; the hollandaise delicious, flawlessly crispy bacon and the little roasted tomatoes were ‘melting in the mouth’ sweet. Caitlyn selected the eggs, tomatoes and toast with a side of avocado (of course) and herbal sausages ($9.50 +$8.00). It was all enjoyed with the sausages as the dish highlight. Bronwyn’s spring onion pancakes ($20.50), from the lunch menu, won the ‘most attractive’ prize with smoked salmon delicately curled on top of cucumber, red onion and shallots on little pancake islands. The lemon sauce was a delicious side. Hugo selected the pure beef burger with fries ($16.50). It was an enviable serve with crispy fries and a dense beef patty devoured with gusto.
A weary and content BOTR group departed Bronte well fed and energised, content in the knowledge of having conquered heart-break hill with our love for running intact and intensified on the journey to Queenstown.
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| Eggs and tomatoes with sides |
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| Spring onion pancakes |
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