Since 1974, thousands of runners and walkers have taken to the streets of Darwin. Now for the first time they can do it over 2 days, with the event set to become a festival of healthy activity.
This Saturday, the Darwin Esplanade will be converted into a race track for racing flats and pedal power, with mile races and cycling criteriums occurring between Daly and Peel streets.
“Adding the Saturday program enables sports fans to maximise participation in the event. We all know that Darwin is beautiful this time of year and we if we expand the event over 2 days it will bring more people to the Top End for the event. It’s worked, as we have a record number of participants coming from outside the NT, with nearly 100, despite the city being heavily booked from accommodation,” Athletics NT Executive Officer Leanne Chin said.
“There will be a stage with Four live music acts from 3pm – 7pm. 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 from 10am onwards 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 partner with 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. To be eligible, athletes have to complete the mile, criterium and City2Surf events over the weekend, with their performance from each being added up,” Hayden said.
The timetable for Saturday on the Esplanade is;
Sunday’s activities will be the same that everyone knows and loves about the famed event, with 4 events on offer;
Entries are now open at https://www.ntcity2surf.com.au. Cycling entries close 5pm Thursday, all running entries close 4pm Saturday.
Read more in the 2022 Event Booklet here.