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| SYDNEY, Australia / TAMPA, Fla. (August 12, 2025) – Runners from across Australia and around the world have made the streets of Sydney their own at the 55th anniversary of the world’s largest fun run, the Voltaren City2Surf, running, walking, and dancing the iconic 14km course from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach. The 2025 event saw 90,000 runners registering to take part, representing 146 countries and ranging in age from a four-week-old child taking part with their parents to a 93-year-old woman, with runners so far raising more than AUD$5 million for charity this year. Adelaide’s Isaac Heyne and Sydney’s Bronte Oates claimed top honours, with Heyne making it back-to-back City2Surf victories, defending his title in emphatic fashion as he broke away from the field just two kilometres into the race and further extending his lead up Heartbreak Hill and on the descent into Bondi. “I’m feeling pretty happy, not bad for someone from out of town. This is such a hard event, it’s a real test of fitness so to race well again and run a little bit quicker than last year, I’m really proud,” said Heyne. “Last year was sort of in the back of my mind coming into the race today, I know I’m fitter than last year so I was pretty happy to run my own rhythm and see who matched it. Now that I know the course, I wasn’t as afraid of the undulating hills and could have the freedom to take it on a little bit.” Heyne’s winning time of 40:33 was 17 seconds faster than he ran last year, and just 30 seconds shy of Steve Moneghetti’s longstanding City2Surf course record time of 40:03. “This week, the chat has been course record, course record. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mono is a class athlete, he’s still running so fast in his sixties. I don’t consider myself in the same echelon as him yet, he’s a World Championship medallist and been such a class athlete for so long, so to be 20 odd seconds away from him, I’m gobsmacked, 12-year-old Isaac would be stoked,” said Heyne. In the women’s race it was a 20-year-old from Sydney who wrote her name into the history books. Bronte Oates delivered a breakout performance, improving on her third-place finish in 2024, to take the win in 45:51. “I’m really excited to take the win. I’m still on a high, I’m really happy,” said Oates. “Being from Sydney, this race means so much. I love the course, I love running around Sydney. To be able to win an iconic race is just amazing.” Oates surged ahead of the pack up Heartbreak Hill and ran away to the finish, taking the tape over 40 seconds clear of Caitlin Adams in second, with Ruby Smee rounding out the podium in third. “I just wanted to try and go out to the front at the start and stay there. I know mentally, I do better when I just have no one in front of me, so that worked,” she said. “This race gives me lots of confidence. I’m excited to see what I can do next and then come back next year and see what happens. This win means everything. I’m just so excited. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible a few years ago.” The damp conditions couldn’t rain on the parade that was the City2Surf’s 55th anniversary, as spectators and cheer squads turned out in their droves to support participants as they made their way up Heartbreak Hill and throughout the course. Since 1971 the City2Surf has cemented its place as one of Australia’s most beloved sporting traditions. There from the beginning was Jim Parker, one of 15 remaining City2Surf Legends who have taken part in every single edition of the event. “Today was like all the others, a walk in the park. I come back to City2Surf every year because I enjoy it, and it keeps me fit, and I get to meet nice people along the way,” said Jim. “55 years, wow, I lose track of time. It’s a lot easier now I don’t jog. This event feels as good as ever, the atmosphere was fantastic, beautiful. Very enjoyable.” Raising money for charitable causes has become the beating heart of the City2Surf. Since 2008, the event has raised more than $59 million in vital donations and this year the event has already beaten its target of AUD$5 million. Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer was one of the thousands of participants running the City2Surf for charity. The world-renowned pathologist who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2023 has been fundraising for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a place he once worked and now where he receives treatment. “It’s fantastic to be with so many people, 90,000 people doing a fun run – it’s unreal. You can feel that atmosphere right the way round,” said Richard. “I’m running with my wife Katie, it’s an opportunity for us to put a spotlight on cancers and what we can do in our country and around the world to improve things further. We’ve had some great success over the last 20 years but there’s still a lot of work to do,” he said. “So far this year we’ve raised about $120,000. It’s nice to have so many people behind us to improve the funding and research to try and improve cancer patients’ outcomes.” Louisa Leone is another charity runner who took part in this year’s City2Surf, raising vital funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. “I’m a student at the Sydney Medical School and I’ve seen firsthand the incredible care that can be offered to sick kids. We’re running today to promote a better future,” said Louisa. “I love the atmosphere of this event, I love everybody getting together, it’s challenging but so rewarding to finish and then catch up with friends at the end.” The day concluded with celebrations at Bondi Beach, where participants and supporters enjoyed entertainment, food and drinks, and recovery zones overlooking the ocean. The Voltaren City2Surf will return next year for its 56th running. For more information visit city2surf.com.au. |
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