Crank up the volume for Metal Shizers at City2Surf
By Emily Usher | 12 July 2023
More than 80,000 participants will once again take to the streets this August for the world’s biggest fun run. But for Cure Cancer fundraisers Metal Shizers, this year’s City2Surf has an extra special meaning.
Caroline (Cazza), Gus and Glenn bonded over their shared love of heavy metal music, forming running team Metal Shizers in 2012.
Caroline (Cazza) and Gus first met on Brisbane’s heavy metal scene as teenagers, but despite Gus relocating to Sydney, the two remained great friends. When Gus met Glenn at work in 2007, he knew Cazza would get on well with him too. The trio formed a close bond, forming running team Metal Shizers in 2012.
“I first ran City2Surf back in 2003, but Cazza, Glenn and I came together to run it as a team in 2012 and again in 2014,” explains Gus. “We came up with the name Metals Shizers as a nod to our shared love of heavy metal music.”
Almost ten years on, Gus thought his running days were behind him, but when Cazza reached out at the start of the year, all of that changed.
"I wasn’t keen to run again as I'm getting old with bad knees, but when Cazza got in touch and I let her know our mate Glenn had passed away, we both knew we had to sign up for this year’s race in his memory. There was no way I was going to miss that!"
Remembering Glenn
Glenn was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2015 and sadly passed away in 2022.
Glenn grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney, eventually settling on the Northern Beaches. He drove buses for state transit for over ten years, and was also an avid member of Mona Vale Surf Club, including as a surf rescue boat captain. He also loved to dance.
“Glenn was an absolute legend,” says Gus. “He had an incredible quirky energy and would do anything for anyone, and he was loved by all at local dance groups. He was great at his job too, once blocking traffic with the bus mid-route to help an old lady who was standing in the middle of the road!”
Glenn was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2015, but despite overcoming the disease on several occasions, he very sadly passed away in January 2022.
“He was one hell of mate,” says Gus. “We are lost without him.”
Supporting cancer research
As well as Glenn, Gus received news in October last year that both his parents had been diagnosed with lung cancer, despite neither of them having smoked for many years. This, coupled with Glenn’s death, has spurred Metal Shizers on to raise money for crucial cancer research.
“Cancer is one of the biggest killers and it seems to affect everyone in some way, so the more research, the better,” says Gus. “My mum is currently receiving immunotherapy which is going really well. Prior to treatment, doctors found multiple tumours in the lining of her lung, but these are now reduced to one small lump the size of a fingernail. That’s a direct result of many years of cancer research. We also have research to thank for the fact that Glenn was able to enjoy the last eight years of his life.”
Glenn was known for being an "absolute legend" who "had an incredible quirky energy and would do anything for anyone".
The World’s Biggest Fun Run
Taking place on August 13th, City2Surf starts in Sydney’s CBD, spanning 14km to the finish line at Bondi Beach.
Gus and Glenn dressed up as zombies at the City2Surf in 2014.
As the race draws near, Metal Shizers are doing all they can to raise money to fund lifesaving cancer research, and are also in the thick of their training.
“Cazza has been absolutely smashing it, running 20km several times a week! I have been doing a 12km run once a week and 5km to build speed once a week. We are both hoping to get close to our times from almost ten years ago.”
Gus is already feeling pumped for the race and looks forward to a beer in Glenn’s memory at the finish line, alongside Cazza, his wife and all their fellow runners.
“It’s always such a great vibe! The power of METAL and GLENN will get us there!”
Want to support Metal Shizers at City2Surf?
You can donate to their fundraising page and help Cure Cancer!
