City2Surf – A Review of the Day
August 14th 2006 00:32
City2Surf – A Review of the Day
Oh what a glorious day it was on Sunday for the 36th annual Sydney fun run. The sun was out all day and not a cloud in the sky. The record number of entrants ran in strollers, wheelchairs, koala suits, fairy outfits and superhero costumes. Empathetic local residents sprayed us with their hoses to keep us cool and keep that buzz going (with even risking fines from the Sydney Water Patrol). Kids of the neighbourhoods held out cups of water for us to grab and drink as we ran past, or just to splash us with (and certain teenagers took this to the extreme with their Super Soaker water guns).
The community spirit was amazing during the race with jazz & rock bands, hundreds of nearby children eagerly holding out their hands for a hi-five, and even a cupcake stall with “Home-made cupcakes for a gold coin donation”. It was an all round great day and I know I’ll definitely be back next year.
On the less attractive side though, the masses of people created painstaking 30 metre lines for the amenities. Forget about going during the race (you generally don’t think about it anyway) but beforehand it took me over 40 minutes to get to a loo. As I left St James station and walked up to Hyde Park I thought I’d wait in the line for that sole, 50c-per-use toilet (because of course, the one next to it was out of order). But after 20 minutes in the line I realised that I had moved up 3 places as after each flush a “2 minute compulsory self-cleaning” was activated, forcing us to wait double the time. I eventually gave up and went back to the station, the lines of which were slightly quicker. We really needed more loos there – even the long row of Portaloos (which I eventually found) weren’t enough to relieve the thousands of entrants efficiently. But where do you put them all? I overheard that the trick is to actually get off at Town Hall or Wynyard on the way, avoid the masses, and use the toilets there. Hmm… maybe I’ll try that next year.
Apart from holding back your bladder urges for an unusually long time I don’t think Sunday could have turned out any better. I admire all the volunteers who put in their time and all the less-abled runners who still gave it a go. The Aussie spirit was through the roof and apart from the absolute pain and agony I’m feeling today just walking around uni, I know it was totally worth it. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s City2Surf – I look forward to running again next year!
Image part of the Public Domain
Oh what a glorious day it was on Sunday for the 36th annual Sydney fun run. The sun was out all day and not a cloud in the sky. The record number of entrants ran in strollers, wheelchairs, koala suits, fairy outfits and superhero costumes. Empathetic local residents sprayed us with their hoses to keep us cool and keep that buzz going (with even risking fines from the Sydney Water Patrol). Kids of the neighbourhoods held out cups of water for us to grab and drink as we ran past, or just to splash us with (and certain teenagers took this to the extreme with their Super Soaker water guns).
The community spirit was amazing during the race with jazz & rock bands, hundreds of nearby children eagerly holding out their hands for a hi-five, and even a cupcake stall with “Home-made cupcakes for a gold coin donation”. It was an all round great day and I know I’ll definitely be back next year.
On the less attractive side though, the masses of people created painstaking 30 metre lines for the amenities. Forget about going during the race (you generally don’t think about it anyway) but beforehand it took me over 40 minutes to get to a loo. As I left St James station and walked up to Hyde Park I thought I’d wait in the line for that sole, 50c-per-use toilet (because of course, the one next to it was out of order). But after 20 minutes in the line I realised that I had moved up 3 places as after each flush a “2 minute compulsory self-cleaning” was activated, forcing us to wait double the time. I eventually gave up and went back to the station, the lines of which were slightly quicker. We really needed more loos there – even the long row of Portaloos (which I eventually found) weren’t enough to relieve the thousands of entrants efficiently. But where do you put them all? I overheard that the trick is to actually get off at Town Hall or Wynyard on the way, avoid the masses, and use the toilets there. Hmm… maybe I’ll try that next year.
Apart from holding back your bladder urges for an unusually long time I don’t think Sunday could have turned out any better. I admire all the volunteers who put in their time and all the less-abled runners who still gave it a go. The Aussie spirit was through the roof and apart from the absolute pain and agony I’m feeling today just walking around uni, I know it was totally worth it. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s City2Surf – I look forward to running again next year!
Image part of the Public Domain
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Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
It was great to watch at Bondi beach and cheer on all your mates.
Comment by RachDegab
RachDegab
Comment by edward
Rocky's Running Diary
Maybe a light jog would get out some of the stiffness? Works for me.
Comment by RachDegab
RachDegab