βLast year we had around 150 sign up [for the City2Surf],β he said, adding that about half of their members are participating in the Sydney marathon at the end of August.
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Parkrun Australia founder Tim Oberg agrees. βI donβt think a lot of βParkrunnersβ would define it as a βrun clubββ¦ itβs more of a community,β he said.
However defined, Oberg says it is a natural progression for Parkrun attendees to want to run an event.
βWe talk about that as the βWhatβs next?β,β said Oberg, who now fronts child wellbeing program the Healthy Kids Project.
βSomebody starts a Parkrun, and theyβre super nervous β¦ within 12 months theyβre signing up for half-marathons and other events.β
Dalhuisen and his four friends officially started the Unofficial Run Club in September 2023. At the time, they were not long-distance runners.
βWe started at 5K,β he said. βAnd naturally, you start doing more.β
Dalhuisen said participating in an event as park of a club or community enhances the experience.
βRocking up at City2Surf, you inevitably have to wait for half an hour just standing there. Knowing that youβre there with a run club, the whole crew is there, it will be a funner race. Crossing the finish line with others around you is a good feeling.β
Official City2Surf training program host, 98 Training athletic director Wade Farmer, said it had been βamazingβ to watch run clubs βslowly but surely turning what was once a solo event into a team sportβ.
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Farmer said the City2Surf it requires a different approach to a half or full marathon.
βCity2Surf is a very unique course; with its steep climbs and fast downhill sections,β he said.
βThat said, the core principles of a middle distance race still apply. Avoid going out too hot, hydrate and fuel appropriately but most of all, enjoy the run!β
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