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Congratulations City to Surfers!
Sun-Herald City to Surfers, they say, never die; their running shoes just smell that way. And as for retired City to Surfers, they just keep coming back for more. And more. And more.
Thus it was that national hero Steve Moneghetti lined up for the 34th running of the great race with Superman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk, Saddam Hussein, 80 defence force personnel, a 100-year old man, three green dinosaurs, seven Christmas elves and 56,000 other enthusiasts.
What’s more, he was leading with just a few of the 14 kilometres to go.
Not bad for a bloke who describes himself now as “41 going on 50”, has not run competitively for four years and was wired up to provide live television commentary.
Sadly, for the tens of thousands of spectators lining the route from the city to Bondi, Moneghetti could not quite pick up the pace on the downhill rush on to Campbell Parade and was passed by the Tanzanians Patrick Nyangelo and Dickson Marawa.
Never mind that they both ‘lacked Australia spirit”, as one television commentator so jingoistically suggested, it was a deserved double for Team Tanzania. And especially for Nyangelo, 19, who won the race last year.
Then he was a young man of frequent smiles an few words, virtually none of them English.
He still is, although he did explain that while his time of 41 minutes 4 seconds was an improve of about 50 seconds on last year, yesterday’s race was tougher.
Monehgetti, who still holds the recor4d of 40.03, made sure of that. Before the race, he had observed that the hills seemed st4eeper then he remembered.
How true. Many veteran City to Surfers swear that the course has also become longer over the years. No matter. As Moneghetti said afterwards, it is a great course, a great event and a great day out for Sydney runners, joggers, walkers and watchers.
Haley McGregor, winner of the women’s race, has more pressing engagements. This afternoon (August 9) she flies to Athens to compete in the Olympic 10,000 metres.
“You can bet I’ll sleep well on the plane.” McGregor said, adding that the 14-kilometre run was the perfect preparation for her event.
For most of yesterday’s starters, though, it was all about having fun. Peter Garrielatos and John Veneris, of Kingsford dressed as Greek national guards, in honour of the Olympics and Greece’s win in this year’s European soccer championship. For some the race was tinged with sadness.
Sue Claydon was running, with 60 family and friends, in memory of her daughter Holly, who died last year, aged 16, in a car accident.
“I woke up one morning ad knew this was what I had to do. She was very keen on fitness,” she said.
Philip “Flying Phil” Rabinowitz, the centenarian, completed the course without mishap, in about three hours and 10 minutes.
Most, like Moneghetti, plan to return some of them may even have a chance of being the first Australian to win since 1997.
As many of those wearing Wallaby shirts yesterday would agree, perhaps the only to stop the Tanzanians is to play then at rugby the night before.
By John Huxley Ran 68.18 in the 2004 Sun-Herald City to Surf, wrote this story and then caught a plane bound for Athens and coverage of the Olympic Games.
2004 Sun-Herald City to Surf results will be published in Tuesday's edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Champion wired for sound
After helping produce Network TEN¹s live coverage of The Sun-Herald City to Surf for the last nine years, you¹d think John Palmer had seen and done it all on race day. This year, however, the race¹s executive producer is leaping out of his skin at the prospect of 'wiring up¹ his star running expert, Steve Moneghetti, who will race in this year¹s event on Sunday August 8.
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A sight not to be missed
Are you missing something in your everyday banking? Spot the special HSBC Missing something?¹ team at this year¹s Sun-Herald City to Surf and you won¹t be any longer!
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Even in their seventies, best mates show it's never too late
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