Tens of Thousands Finish Sydney's City2Surf

POUNDING THE PAVEMENT: Thousands of runners entered this year's City to Surf. Picture: Getty Source: The Daily Telegraph

A LIMPING Batman, Stig impersonator and a man carrying a yoga mat cut into the shape of a BMX bike were among the tens of thousands who completed this year's City2Surf.

For the first time people can remember, the popular Sydney occasion went ahead beneath grey skies - but that didn't dampen the spirit of the event, which was this year won by Victorian Liam Adams in 41 minutes and 11 seconds.

Race favourite Michael Shelley from Queensland finished two seconds behind him, while Canberra's Martin Dent was third.

It was the first time Adams, a 24-year-old student from Moonee Ponds in Victoria, took part in the event.

"I never thought I was going to win it,'' the five times Australian world cross country champion told AAP.

"He's (Shelley) won it before and he knows how to win this race.

"I was hurting from about Heartbreak Hill.

"I thought he was going to drop me many times during that race.''

Adelaide physiotherapist Jessica Trengove, 23, was the first woman across the line in a time of 47 minutes and 29 seconds.

Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley took 38 minutes and three seconds to complete the course to become the first wheelchair athlete at Bondi.

His jubilant smile belied the fact he was suffering from a cold.

"I've lost my voice,'' he said.

"But good day, mate, good race.''

A record 85,000 competitors took part in this year's event, making it a bigger crowd drawer than the London marathon and New York marathon combined.

Many took it seriously - others embraced the carnival atmosphere.

Martin Doak, from Artarmon, finished the course in just under 60 minutes while carrying a yoga mat which had been cut into the shape of a BMX bike.

A limping Batman was also seen, as was a giant chicken, girls dressed as green fairies, girls in hot pink velour tracksuits with matching hair, and a young girl wearing pyjamas and carrying a teddy bear.

A man resembling the Stig from the British television motoring show Top Gear walked, rather than jogged, past the finish line.

Those wanting to do it all again sooner than in 12 months time have the option of going in Melbourne's City to Sea fun fun.

The 14km event is being held for the first time, on November 13.

The 2011 Sun Herald City2Surf Event

The 2011 event is shaping up to be the biggest in the race’s history, with more than 80,000 people expected to enter the 14km event, and the marathon man of wheelchair sports and two-time Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley on hand to kick start the event’s first ever elite wheelchair start.

Runners can make their participation even more rewarding by fundraising for their favourite charity. To incentivise participants, The Sun-Herald will donate $10,000 to the chosen charity of the both the highest fundraising individual and team.

The event aims to raise much needed funds for more than 500 charities. With $2.8 million raised in 2010 for charities across the country, participants are encouraged to help raise even more in 2011.
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EVENT DETAILS:
Name of event: The Sun Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac
Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
Location: Spectacular course from Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach
Distance: 14km
Description: Australia’s serious runners, joggers, walkers and pram pushers are invited to be part of Sydney’s favourite sporting event, The Sun Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac, on Sunday, August 14.

For Ideal Sydney Accommodation for the City2Surf - Metro Hotels