The largest mass participation sporting event in the NT will make its biggest structural change in its 49 year history. The annual fun run, which hasn’t missed an edition since 1974, will now expand over 2 days, with events on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of June this year.
Runners, walkers and cyclists will be invited to join in the new mile and street cycling events on the evening of Saturday 25th on the Darwin Esplanade. Thanks to funding from NT Major Events Company, the Darwin Esplanade will play host to 10 exciting new events in an action packed 2 hours of dry season action.
The new concept has also resulted in a fresh partnership for the co-staging of the event between Athletics NT and Triathlon NT. Executive Officer of Athletics NT, Leanne Chin, said the event has been a long time in the planning and includes something for anyone who wants to be active.
“There will be 5 categories of running events and 5 cycling events on a flat picturesque course along the Darwin Esplanade. The course will be 800m in length, with kids running and riding 1 lap, while the older ones do 2 laps.”
“It won’t just be sport on offer, there will be a stage with live music and we’ll also be encouraging anyone doing the traditional NT Santos City2Surf run on the Sunday, to come along and collect their race bib from our Expo at Bicentennial Park and either run or ride with us, or watch some fast paced action,” Chin said.
Triathlon NT board member Lucas Hayden said it was exciting to be collaborating with Athletics NT.
“There’s such a big cross over in our sports, it makes sense for us to work together. This is the first time I’m aware of a partnership like this in the country and Triathlon is excited to bring our expertise to the event, helping in particular with the cycling component. Triathletes love the hurt locker and the structure of this event is surely going to be challenging as we go on the hunt for the fittest and fastest in the NT,” Hayden said.
Across the weekend, participants will be able to score points by participating in all 3 events on offer; run the mile, ride the criterium and complete the City2Surf. There will be junior and senior categories with prizes to overall highest point scorers and the crown of ‘fittest and fastest in the NT.’
Events on Saturday 25th June will include;
4:45pm – Junior 800m ride
5:00pm - Junior 800m Run
5:15pm – Open Ride 1
5:30pm – Fancy Dress mile run/walk
5:45pm – Men’s Criterium, division B (ride)
6:00pm – Defence & Services Mile run
6:15pm – Women’s Criterium (ride)
6:30pm – Men’s Criterium, Division A (ride)
6:45pm – Women’s Mile run
7:00pm – Men’s Mile run
Events for the traditional NT Santos City2Surf on Sunday 26th June include;