Runners from across Australia and around the world hit the streets of Sydney on Sunday, August 10th at the 55th anniversary of ‘the world’s largest fun run’, the Voltaren City2Surf.
The 14km race starts in Sydney’s central business district at Hyde Park and finishes at Bondi Beach. According to event organiser IRONMAN, the 2025 event saw 90,000 runners registering to take part, representing 146 countries.
Participants ranged 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 AU$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.
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.
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.
Since 1971 the City2Surf has cemented its place as one of Australia’s most popular sporting traditions. At 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,” said Parker. “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.
“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 a focus of City2Surf. Since 2008, the event has raised more than AU$59 million in donations.
The day concluded with celebrations at Bondi Beach, where participants and supporters enjoyed entertainment, food and drinks, and recovery zones overlooking the ocean.
