City2Surf expected to reach pre-COVID entry numbers as multiple roads are set to close

Entries for this year’s City2Surf are expected to reach pre-COVID numbers as more than 78,000 have already signed up for the running event.

The event, on Sunday, has already topped last year’s entry numbers of about 60,000, while in 2021 and 2020 the event was held virtually due to the pandemic.

More than 78,000 people have signed up for this year’s City2Surf on Sunday.Credit: Tim Bardsley-Smith

In 2019, the event was sold out with 84,328 runners registered, which was a record for City2Surf.

From 7.40am, participants will be making a 14 kilometre trek from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach.

Large crowds have been expected in the city from Thursday until Saturday as NSW Police said participants would be collecting their race bibs and dropping off their gear at The Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park.

Operation Commander Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore encouraged participants to visit the pavilion as early as possible to avoid stress before race day.

“Our best advice is to plan ahead; get to the [pavilion] early to pick up your race bibs and drop off finish-line gear. This will help you avoid any last-minute stress,” she said.

“There’ll be limited time to check in your gear on Sunday; however, you can easily do this in advance and check in with staff at the [pavilion] in advance, and it will then be delivered to the finish line.”

There will be multiple road closures across the city and Sydney’s east on Sunday morning as runners complete the course.

From 3.30am to noon, sections of College Street, Macquarie Street, St James Road, Park Street and William Street will be closed.

There will also be no access to the city via New South Head Road west of Ocean Street until noon from Woolloomooloo to Edgecliff from 6am to noon.

The course for the run which begins at 7.40am on Sunday.

Major roads from Double Bay to Rose Bay, Rose Bay to North Bondi, Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction will also be closed throughout the day with further details on Live Traffic’s website.

Travel on public transport will be covered for participants and volunteers and early morning transport services will run to the city including a frequent free shuttle bus from Bondi Beach to Bondi Junction.

Buses between the city and the eastern suburbs will be affected with significant route diversions in place during the road closures. More information on trip planning can be viewed on Transport for NSW’s website.

The event aims to raise $3 million over 400 charities including the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, Black Dog Institute and Running for Premature Babies.

A Guinness World Record attempt will also be made as more than 250 runners are set to make the record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Wonder Woman.

Entries for the event remain open until Saturday afternoon and entrants can sign up here.

Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.