City2Surf
On 10 August 2025, I ran my 35th City2Surf with my daughter Caitlin (her 14th), son-in-law Nico and my 7 year old grandson Leo (his 1st).
The first City2Surf was run in 1971. It’s the world’s largest fun run, starting in Sydney’s CBD at Hyde Park and finishing 14 kilometres later at the world famous Bondi Beach. Halfway through the run, runners must conquer Heartbreak Hill - a 2 kilometre climb.
It’s a community event, with bands playing along the route, DJs playing the latest dance music, Hare Krishna chanting and Falun Gong meditation and exercises. One year I came across my brother Vincent at the City2Surf as a Hare Krishna. People dress in all sorts of outfits. It’s also a substantial fundraising event, with participants having collectively raised $63m for various charities, since fundraising was introduced in 2008.
The 2024 City2Surf was the first time there was an obvious political overtone with Jewish supporters wearing T-shirts with pictures of hostages and the occasional runner carrying the Palestinian flag. Houses in Dover Heights and Rose Bay were also festooned with hostage pictures and the Israeli Star of David flags. In Dover Heights more than half of the residents identify as Jewish. The eastern suburbs are the heart of Sydney’s Jewish community.
2024 City to Surf
This year both Palestinian and Israel flags as well pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas were evident, but were more muted than in 2024. The impact of the unfolding horror in Gaza of the last 12 months and 200,000 people marching across Sydney Harbour Bridge a couple of weeks earlier may have contributed to a less strident presence.
2025 City2Surf
I ran my first City 2 Surf in 1980 with some Army mates but still then have run it with family,
Since 2006 I have run every City2Surf with either Caitlin (14), Adam (8), and/or Alice (6), as well as with Nico in 2014, with Joanne in 2019 and Mushira in 2022.
John, Adam, Caitlin, Alice, Nico and Mushira
Since 2006, my most constant running companion has been Caitlin. This year is the 14th time that we have participated together.
Caitlin and John
As I’ve got older the City2Surf has been less about beating a time and more about spending time with loved ones.
Yet, this City2Surf was particularly special, as it was the first time to have three generations running together: me at 70 and a grandson aged 7, with his parents Caitlin and Nico..
Long may this special day with special people continue.
Leo’s 1st City2Surf - a wet one.