Thousands of Darwinites flock to popular City2Surf before lockdown

Almost 2000 Darwinites turned out to take part in this year’s bumper City2Surf race.

• Influx of runners and walkers from across the country make this year’s NT Santos City2Surf the second largest ever
• The 48th City2Surf marks its place in NT athletics history with a female runner finishing second overall for the first time

ALMOST 2000 Darwinites turned out to take part in this year’s City2Surf race, which was the last major community event before the snap lockdown was announced.

Olivia Campbell, who did the run alongside her kids Emily, 6, and Alexander, 6, said she was glad they had the chance to take part before the lockdown was called.

“We thought about that (a potential lockdown) before we left but we thought ‘we’ll be outside, we’ll be safe’ and we tried to keep our distance from other people,” Ms Campbell said.

Dean Robertson in the 2021 City to Surf Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We decided – ‘let’s get out let’s do it, it might be our last chance to have fun for a while’.

“The probable lockdown was on everyone’s minds, now we’re even more glad we went out.”

Ms Campbell said the lockdown would be difficult for her family who loved the outdoors.

“We’ve got an hour a day to go outside and exercise, so we’re going to make the most of that hour,” she said.

Liam Rowan also made the most of the opportunity to take his one-year-old daughter, Rey, out for the ride in her first ever City2Surf race.

Liam Rowan and his daughter Rey. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“She enjoys the Parkrun but it’s only 5km so we weren’t sure how she would go, but she loved it.”

City2Surf recorded a total of 1800 participants across all categories in its second biggest event in its 48-year history.