NT City2Surf breaks record with 2000+ entrants in 50th edition
The titleholder of the Men’s 12km City2Surf has kept his crown as thousands competed in the 50th annual event. See all the results and photos.
Northern Territory
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Thousands of runners hit the pavement to mark Darwin’s 50th annual City2Surf event on Sunday.
Tim Hewitt took out the men’s 12km category for the fourth consecutive year, while first-time competitor Corrin Demeo won the Women’s 12km race.
Two juniors also snatched the top spot in the men’s and women’s 4km race, beating all the seasoned competitors to run the distance in about 14 minutes each.
Hewitt, who clocked just 41 minutes, said it was actually not his fastest time.
“I went faster last year,” he said.
“It was kind of sweatier than I had hoped and I ran out of a bit of steam about halfway.
“Fortunately no one else was too close by and I stumbled over the finish line.”
The reigning champion also confirmed he would be gunning for a fifth title next year.
“I’ll keep coming back until I can’t do it anymore,” Hewitt said.
Demeo was only short distance behind as she reached the end in Nightcliff with 49.39 on the clock.
“It was a fantastic event … super exciting to be a part of it for the 50th year,” she said.
“It was mighty hot, being from Victoria we’re not used to that kind of weather but it was a great run.
“It started as a really nice day out but I think by the last couple of kilometres we were all starting to feel the heat.”
Bronte Bellot, daughter of Mix 104.9 host Katie Woolf, won the women’s 4km with 14.56 on the clock while Gilbert Cox took out the men’s 4km in under 14 minutes.
More than 2000 runners took part in the 50th annual event, which starts on the Esplanade and ends by the Nightcliff Pool.
NT City2Surf winners
Men’s 12km
Winner: Tim Hewitt – 41.00
Damon Whis-Wilson
Tom Muecke
Women’s 12km
Winner: Corrin Demeo – 49.36
Mollie Borschmann
Kate Bramley
Men’s 4km
Winner: Gilbert Cox – 13.34
Robert Power
Trent Ellison
Women’s 4km
Winner: Bronte Bellot – 14.56
Laura Henssen
Siehna Edmunds
Record entry numbers set for 50th NT City2Surf
Friday June 2
A record number of runners will tackle the 50th instalment of the Territory’s longest-running fun run, the NT City2Surf.
More than 1900 runners have registered for the iconic event, breaking the previous record of 1816 set a decade ago.
The traditional run will have participants start at Darwin Esplanade at 6.45am Sunday and pound the pavement over 12km to the Nightcliff Pool.
The City2Surf, first held in 1974, will have females take up 53 per cent of total entries while the 12km run will be the most popular with close to 1000 set to embark on the traditional distance.
Entrants have the option of choosing from three distances ranging from 12km, 4km (run or walk) and a 1.195km run for the Marathon4kids.
The event has a rich history of competitors including Australian Olympians Steve Moneghetti, Robert de Castella and Milly Clark.
City2Surf three-time winner and current holder for the fastest recorded time Tim Hewitt will take part in this year’s event.
The Rapid Creek Track Club runner recorded a blistering time of 40 minutes and 26 seconds in last year’s 12km run to break the fastest time, previously held by Peter Eason with his run in 2008.
Athletics NT life member and 2020 Centralian Citizen of the Year Emma Kraft will travel from South Australia to participate.
Hayley Barber, who won several years ago, will also be making the stride to Nightcliff.
The popular running event will enter it ninth year raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The event fought through many obstacles in its history including notable moments when the annual run continued through Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and the Covid pandemic more recently.
Athletics NT executive officer Leanne Chin said the Territory’s passion for running has made the City2Surf a popular event.
“The running community has always been strong in the Northern Territory and they wanted something to do and this (fun run) was it,” Chin said.
“The original course, it has always started on the Esplanade, it’s always finished at Nightcliff to my understanding.
“The course has changed a little bit along the way but it still finishes where there could be surf in a big wind at Nightcliff.
“We are looking at record numbers this year, whether that is because people love to run or whether it’s the 50th edition, I don’t know but I’m just so happy that people are wanting to participate in our event.”
The first 1000 entrants who turn up will receive a soft flask water bottle.
All participant will come away with a medal while the first ones over the line in each race will receive gift vouchers.
The male and female winners of the 12km run will take home $350 in gift vouchers plus entry into the Townsville running festival in August.
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Originally published as NT City2Surf breaks record with 2000+ entrants in 50th edition
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