Tim Hewitt crowned champion after blitzing field
2800 entrants took to the pavement this morning taking part in the 51st NT City2Surf fun-run. See all the photos.
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From servicemen in full bomb-defusal regalia to a father finishing the 12.5km while pushing three of his children in a pram, the 2024 NT City2Surf was a roaring success.
With a record setting 2800 entrants across the three races, this year’s edition of the Top End’s most iconic race saw a familiar face atop the podium once more.
Obliterating the field and taking his fifth title, Tim Hewitt was a man on a mission.
Crossing the finish in a little under 41 minutes, and a mile ahead of second place, Hewitt was stoked to have pulled off another victory.
“I felt good and I know the course quite well by now which always helps with rhythm and a run in general,” he said.
“I was on my own after the first couple of kms, so I got in the zone, put my head down and pushed as fast as I could.”
Admitting that he wouldn’t have minded some company upfront, the five-time champion said you got to treat each race on its merits.
“It would have been nice to have one or two people upfront with me but sometimes you’ve just got to soldier on by yourself.
“It has been a great turnout and I look forward to next year.”
RESULTS
Click here for the full results
12.5km – 1,776 entrants, 1,554 finishers, 1hr 17 mins average time
Men:
1st (overall winner) – Tim Hewitt, 40 mins 56 secs
2nd – Jose Alexandre Fischborn, 43 mins 12 secs
3rd – Ryan Doherty, 43 mins 19 secs
Women:
1st (10th overall) – Tarra Brain, 45 mins 09 secs
2nd (11th overall) – Jennifer Clancy, 46 mins 05 secs
3rd (22nd overall) – Petra Melis-Walsh, 47 mins 40 secs
4km – 623 entrants, 507 finishers, 30 mins average time
Men:
1st (overall winner) – Brodie Highland, 14 mins 22 secs
2nd (3rd overall) – Jack Rowe, 14 mins 50 secs
3rd (4th overall) – Mitchell Dempsey, 15 mins 01 secs
Women:
1st (2nd overall) – Bronte Bellot, 14 mins 40 secs
2nd (18th overall) – Anya Dauth, 16 mins 52 secs
3rd (21st overall) – Joanna Bailey, 17 mins 13 secs
PHOTOS
Servicemen lace up the boots for City2Surf
The City2Surf has officially smashed its record number of runners with 600 more runners taking on the race in 2024 than last year.
The 2024 edition of the NT’s biggest race has far exceeded previous records, so much so entries for the 12.5km event from the Esplanade to the Nightcliff foreshore had to close early on Saturday.
Darwin’s own 1st Light Littoral Combat Brigade are among those lacing up their boots for the occasion in a celebration of fitness, camaraderie and community spirit.
Two army teams, led by Brigadier Doug Pashley, will participate in the largest distance to make the end of Exercise Predators Walk.
A team from 1 Health Battalion and a team from 1 Brigade headquarters, will pack march the entire 12km Esplanade to Nightcliff route.
The troops will wear a modified kit including boots, camo pants and matching brigade T-shirts, while carrying their loaded army packs.
The run will round the Predators Walk program in anticipation for their annual war fighting exercise, Predators Run, in July.
The event will look different this year in the wake of 2023’s Defence Strategic Review and this year’s new National Defence Strategy, as the 1st Brigade continues to develop and hone its mastery of Littoral Operations.
Thousands of soldiers from Australia, the U.K. and East Timor are conducting military training from Nhulunbuy to Bradshaw for the second half of July with a big focus on community engagement.
‘Exceeded expectations’: Record number to tackle Top End race
There is less than a week to go until race day and City2Surf 2024 has already exceeded all expectations.
The annual fun run that sees participants trek from the CBD to Nightcliff will need to extend its barriers with a record number of participants to take part.
Currently sitting at 2020 runners, there’s still six-days till entries close (Saturday at 3pm), and numbers continue to grow with last minute entrants deciding to have a go.
“We’ve already exceeded all expectations in terms of entry numbers,” Athletics NT chief executive Leanne Chin said.
“We had our fingers crossed to see 2010, so we could beat our record by one, but we’re on track to smash it.”
The event has also finally had one of its age old questions answered with the track distance officially measured.
“The great debate is over,” Chin said.
“The course was officially measured by an Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) official, and was recorded as 12.5km, but Strava might say otherwise.”
Prizes and awards have also been revealed for the categories with the following up for grabs:
12km – (men and women) 1st $500, 2nd $300 and 3rd $200
4km – (men and women) 1st Garmin watch, 2nd $150 and 3rd $50
Maccas Mile – (boys and girls) 1st $50 giftcard
And a lucky-draw for all contestants for giftcards to the Beachfront Hotel
As for who will reign supreme, Chin has bets on four-time champion Tim Hewitt.
“He’s flying in from Gove for the race and he’s definitely going to be the one to beat,” she said.
“The average time to finish the 12km is around 1-1.5 hours, but I reckon he’ll go sub 45 minutes.”
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