After two whole years of going virtual, the City2Surf is finally back in-person. City2Surf veterans will know that while the scenic 14km race can be a gruelling challenge, it is also a feel-good, unmissable experience that is entirely achievable. After all, participants are encouraged to dress up, bougie to dance music, and to fundraise for a good cause!
We spoke to six inspiring fundraisers (including three legends from our team) about their City2Surf prep and why they’re supporting our early-career cancer researchers:
Introducing our awesome fundraisers: Team Captain Giada, Kate Overton-Clarke, Brendan Harmer, Jesse Bloch, Sally Alves, and Annelise Kerrison!
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CURE CANCER?
Giada: For our school project, our goal was to make as much of an impact as we could. As a team, we wanted to race and support a cause that was important to us. Cure Cancer really inspired The Cool Runnings with their achievements and cause.
Kate: I love to run, but I’m also really excited about running while raising money for an important cause! It’s a great opportunity to raise funds and have a good time with the team at the same time.
Brendan: I know so many people who either have cancer or whose lives have been impacted by cancer that I want to do everything I can to support the search for a cure.
Jesse: I am running for Cure Cancer to give back to an incredibly important cause that can affect anyone at any time.
Sally: I chose Cure Cancer because I've lost my father to cancer and so many people close to me have been affected by this vicious disease. I want to help in some way to raise awareness.
Annelise: I am running for #TeamCureCancer because I am in the Cure Cancer fundraising team. In my role, I encourage runners to hit their fitness and fundraising goals, and I am keen to do the same! I have had the privilege of meeting some of our researchers and now understand the importance of their funding. They work so hard to find a cure for cancer, but they need our support to help make it happen! Funding is vital and without it, we can’t continue making breakthroughs in cancer research.
HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR CITY2SURF?
Giada: Although we train regularly on a weekly basis with school sports and the gym, I think the greatest preparation is our team’s perseverance, especially during tougher moments of the race (such as one of the uphills of the trail). We still need to keep our training up, but I think The Cool Runnings are more than capable of completing this race if we stick together and motivate each other.
Kate: I’m trying to do some training runs before the big day. It’s quite difficult to motivate myself in the cold weather and rain, but I’m getting there. Hoping to be able to run the full 14km – even Heartbreak Hill!
Brendan: Running in Centennial Park when it’s not raining. I also play soccer so I’m getting plenty of running in during games and training.
Jesse: I am going to the gym four days a week as well as surfing and running for general fitness, stamina, and strength.
Sally: I'm doing daily long power walks to be able to keep up at City2Surf.
Annelise: I’ve never run the City2Surf before. I’ve actually enlisted my friends to help train me up so I’m ready for race day! I’ve been running once or twice a week with friends, with a shorter run during the week, and a longer run on the weekend.
The 14km run begins in the heart of Sydney before progressing into scenic, waterside views.
IF YOU'VE RUN FOR CITY2SURF BEFORE, DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAINING ADVICE FOR CITY2SURF BEGINNERS?
Giada: As this is our first City2Surf, we are still learning and trying to figure out what works best for us as a team. However, I can imagine the greatest skill one should take on board is dedication, solidarity, and endurance.
Kate: This will be my first City2Surf – so I’m open to any advice people can give me!
Brendan: Don’t kill yourself trying to run up Heartbreak Hill. Walk up it if you have to and power home!
Jesse: I have never run the City2Surf before, but I have run a half marathon before, so my advice would be to run two small runs per week and one long run per week, each week increasing the longer run by a few kms.
Sally: I have never done City2Surf before, but I am extremely excited to participate in such an amazing event. I've done a 30km walk before and all I can say is that if I can do it, then anyone can! Just keep pushing through even if you think you can't make it, believe me you will!
Annelise: I haven’t, but I’ve always wanted to. If you’re thinking of signing up and you haven’t yet, this is your year! You can run or walk so it’s open to everyone. When else are you able to run straight through Sydney?!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ON THE DAY OF THE RACE?
Giada: I’m really excited to see all the hard work that we put in and to share this moment as a team by having fun and supporting a great cause.
Kate: Having finished the full 14km and being able to head to the Cure Cancer afterparty at the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay to celebrate the morning with my friends.
Brendan: The energy from the crowd at the start line and the beer at the finish line!
Jesse: The feeling of success and the rush of endorphins when I finish! There is no better feeling than after a run!
Sally: My work colleagues and I have been challenging each other in preparation for this event and it will be fun to see each other push ourselves.
Annelise: I am most looking forward to our Digital Executive Elisha doing a shoey on race day! She had a great fitness incentive that she would do one if she raised $500, and she’s already smashed that goal. I am also looking forward to finishing the race and getting a City2Surf medal!
City2Surf runners will cross the finish line in Bondi, home to Sydney’s most iconic beach.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNDRAISING TIPS OR INCENTIVES THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER FUNDRAISERS?
Giada: I have to admit it wasn’t easy organising a fundraiser, but it really depends on how dedicated you are and your willingness. Since we had a bake sale, one of the things that made the greatest difference was having a cashless payment method. More than 90% of people we encountered during the bake sale had no cash on them, so having this equipment with us was really rewarding.
Kate: Definitely update your Facebook profile picture/Instagram story and share the link to friends and family. I’ve found people are also much more willing to donate if they’re not the first ones, so I would also suggest donating to yourself before sharing your link.
Brendan: Share the fundraising page across all social media apps. There’s a heap of them these days!
Jesse: I am going to do a live DJ set and get my head shaved at the same time if I reach $1000. A tip for others would be to have fun, do something spontaneous and non-permanent to get your friends and family excited to help you out!
Sally: I raised some money for Cure Cancer because I took every opportunity that was offered. Family and friends are a great way to fundraise and spread the word. I was also fortunate that my workplace supported me by having a morning tea. Staff donated homemade cakes. Everyone loves food! I also had lots of used items for a garage sale I organised with my little helper son and that was a great way to raise money for Cure Cancer.
Annelise: Share your fundraising page with family and friends! The easiest way to do this is on social media. I posted my link on Facebook and on my Instagram story. It’s also a great way to spread awareness. Another way you can share your link is by making a QR code of your fundraising page. You can print it out and people can scan it to donate. It’s a great idea to stick it up at your work or on a community bulletin board if you have one!
OUR EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS FACE A LOT OF HURDLES, AND THEY’RE SO GRATEFUL FOR FUNDRAISERS LIKE YOURSELF. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY TO INSPIRE THEM AS THEY WORK TOWARDS A CURE FOR CANCER?
Giada: I can imagine the difficulty and pressure involved when conducting such research, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their dedication, taking on such a great role, and taking care of all of us.
Kate: They’re doing fantastic work and it’s a real privilege to help in any way we can.
Brendan: Keep up the great work!
Jesse: Life is full of peaks and troughs, but as long as you are constantly growing, moving forward, and arming yourself with knowledge and skills, you will find great success when you reach those peaks. I believe early-career researchers are arming themselves now to create amazing results later.
Sally: Sadly, cancer is very common and affects lots of families. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. There were a lot of treatment options, but unfortunately it was too late to treat my father. I believe the researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure and I really do think they’re amazing.
Annelise: I am so grateful for all the hard work our researchers and their teams put in. They work tirelessly to help find a cure for cancer for the benefit of others. Keep doing what you’re doing and I will keep supporting you!
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Join us for The City2Surf 2022 and help our early-career researchers pave the way to a cancer-free world. Plus, you could win the Ultimate Sydney-Sider Experience, which is valued at over $1,200!
If you don’t live in Sydney and 14km runs aren’t your thing, you can support us by running in RunMelbourne on July 24 or Bridge to Brisbane on August 28.
