Their politics might diverge, but federal Independent MP Zali Steggall and NSW Environment Minister James Griffin follow a similar approach to running.
Both politicians tackle the steep terrain at North Head in Manly as part of their training and shun music.
Warringah Independent MP Zali Steggall (centre) with running partner Susan Robertson (left) and husband Tim Irving (right) train for the 80-kilometre Bondi to Manly ultra marathon.Credit: Kate Geraghty
“This may sound strange,” Griffin said. “I enjoy listening to my breathing. I don’t listen to music.”
Griffin said his breathing is an important guide to his progress on regular 10-kilometre training runs at North Head in preparation for the Bondi to Manly Ultra, an 80-kilometre race around the harbour on November 5.
Griffin will run a 20-kilometre leg of the ultra-marathon as part of a team that includes Paralympian Ben Tudhope, professional surfer Cooper Chapman, influencer Alex Hayes and former The Bachelorette contestant James Trethewie.
Steggall, the federal member for Warringah, will run one or two legs of the 80-kilometre race as part of her training for a 100-kilometre ultra-marathon later this year.
NSW Environment Minister James Griffin (centre), influencer Alex Hayes (left) and Paralympian Ben Tudhope are part of a relay team running the Bondi to Manly ultra-marathon.Credit: Oscar Colman
“I listen to music for shorter runs on my own but not on the long trail runs,” she said. “It’s a really important reset time from work for me. It’s active mindfulness. On trails, you have to be in the moment, focussing on the uneven track and conditions.”
Ultra-marathon running - over distances of more than 50 kilometres - is becoming increasingly popular although few people run as far as Nedd Brockmann who completed a 3800-kilometre trek from Perth to Sydney last week for homelessness charity Mobilise.
An estimated 1500 runners are expected to participate in Bondi to Manly race, either solo or in relay teams.
The walking track between Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, officially opened in 2019, featuring landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The ultra-marathon will raise money for the Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters charity to preserve the track, install signs and create a guide for the walk.
Both Steggall and Griffin hope the event introduces the Bondi to Manly walk to a wider audience and encourages the health benefits of physical activity and the outdoors.
“It’s an enjoyable way for the community to learn more about the cultural, environmental, indigenous and heritage aspects around Sydney Harbour – and is good for your health too,” she said.
A Winter Olympic medallist, Steggall said she is a fan of trail running and ultra-marathons: “I’ve competed in some spectacular races in Australia and abroad, but what could be more spectacular than running around the beautiful Sydney Harbour?”
An “OK” middle-distance runner at school, Griffin said he fell back in love with running after he was elected to the NSW parliament and “found it to be a useful outlet for stress and a great way to keep fit”.
Griffin is also a member of the Vipers Run Club, a local “blokes” running group on Sydney’s northern beaches that includes elite runners and “plodders like me who get out a couple of times a week and push the back of the pack”.
Running is also a passion Griffin shares with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and outgoing Cities and Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes.
Steggall trains at North Head running up hills with training partner Susan Robertson and husband Tim.
“I try and run four times per week, with a longer run on Sundays,” she said. “I complement my training with one or two CrossFit strength sessions per week.”
Parental and ministerial responsibilities mean Griffin runs at 5.30am “before the kids get up”.
“It’s always hard to get out of bed especially when it’s raining,” he said. “I think the biggest challenge for me is to eke out more distance in the time I’ve got.”
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