City2Surf 2025: Here’s everything you need to know

Returning for its 55th year, the annual City2Surf will once again take over Sydney this August. Find out when and where it is, and plan your viewing spot.

The decades-old fun run has long held great importance for Sydney and the city’s sense of community, welcoming runners of all abilities to take on a 14-kilometre track from Hyde Park in the CBD to the sunny shores of Bondi Beach. But it’s rarely ever “just a run” here, with Sydney’s street coming to life with runners, walkers, dancers, pram pushers and street entertainers.

Almost 80,000 runners took part last year, a far cry from the 1,500 participants who were part of the very first City2Surf in 1971.

Tanya Carroll, City2Surf’s Regional Director, expressed her excitement for the upcoming fun run, especially after 2024’s record-breaking number of registered runners. She said,

“One of the things we love about the City2Surf is that it’s open to people of all abilities, with people running, walking, pushing prams, using wheelchairs and even dancing their way from the CBD to Bondi Beach. We love the community atmosphere of this event, with it bringing people from all walks of life together and is a great celebration of being active.”

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When is City2Surf?

City2Surf takes place on the morning of Sunday, August 10, with the first group starting at 7:35am and the last group starting at 9:27am.

Where is City2Surf?

The race starts at the intersection of Park Street and College Street, and the finish line is on Queen Elizabeth Drive at Bondi.

How many people run City2Surf?

90,000 people will run City2Surf this year, and they’ll be separated into eight different start groups.

The Open Start Groups include:

• Pink Group: For semi-serious runners who intend to run the whole distance.
• Blue Group: For those who will try to run or jog the whole way, but also want to have a good time.
• Yellow Group: For all abilities; however, you might stop to take some selfies or chat to the crowd.
• Orange Group: Everyone is welcome, including runners, fun groups, joggers, families, disco partiers, pushed wheelchairs and walkers.

The Qualifying Start Groups require qualifying evidence from the runner of being able to run 14km within a certain time. These groups include:

• Elite: This will include the top 30 runners.
• Preferred: This is for sub-elite speedy runners, looking to chase the Elite Group.
• Red Group: For active runners who intend to race against the clock.
• Green Group: Those who have trained hard and ready for a PB.

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Can I still sign up?

No, unfortunately, entry is now closed for City2Surf 2025. Registration opened on March 26, and places quickly filled up. Keep this in mind if you intend to run the race in 2026!

The course

City2Surf is one of the most iconic courses in the world, taking runners past some of Sydney’s favourite suburbs and finishing on the world-famous Bondi Beach.

Starting in the buzzy CBD at the intersection of Park Street and College Street, runners will make their way downhill on William Street before heading through the Kings Cross Tunnel. Continuing along New South Head Road, runners will pass through the picturesque harbourside suburb of Rose Bay, before tackling the notorious Heartbreak Hill.

After runners have overcome the steepest part of the course, they’ll turn the corner at Vaucluse onto South Head Road, before proceeding onto Military Road. As they race down the hill, they’ll take in stunning ocean views before turning around at Curlewis Street and crossing the finish line on Queen Elizabeth Drive to Bondi.

Next, runners can grab their Finisher’s Medal and head to one of the many events in Bondi for a well-deserved schooner.

You can view the full course here.

What is Heartbreak Hill?

Heartbreak Hill is the most challenging (and infamous) part of City2Surf. It consists of a two-kilometre incline, located approximately six kilometres into the course. Stretching from Rose Bay to Vauclude along New South Head Road, the hill ascends about 75 metres, with an average gradient of 3-4%.

Sounds horrible, doesn’t it? Luckily, the runners who push through are rewarded with panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge— if you’re going to stop for a selfie anywhere, this is the place to do it.

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Cover image credit: Brendon Thorne

City2Surf 2025

Where: Starts at the intersection of Park Street and College Street, Finish line is on Queen Elizabeth Drive at Bondi.
When: Sunday, August 10, the first group starts at 7:35am and the last group starts at 9:27am.

city2surf.com.au