One week ago, I completed the 2025 City2Surf, raising the second highest amount I have ever raised since 2013. I wanted to take this moment to personally and sincerely thank each and every single person who contributed to this success by either sharing my fundraising page or making a donation. This massive amount over $12,500 (and counting – until the link to the page expires), could not have been possible without your kindness and generosity; I know that Dainere would’ve been severely impressed with my result this year, as well as the amount raised thanks to all of the supporters. Without further ado, here is a recap on my run.

The roads were wet, a result of the dreary weather in Sydney the day prior to the race day, which unfortunately did continue into the earlier hours of the morning before heading to the start line. Despite these conditions, I was not to let the weather dampen my focus on this year’s City2Surf. Knowing I had raised the second highest amount ever since commencing my memorial fun run in 2013, I was driven to push myself to achieve the very best result I could possible. I’d run a 10km only weeks before taking off to Sydney and achieved a sub-35 minute result at about an 80% effort, so knew I was in decent enough shape to have the potential to run a personal best time – if not, very close to.

As the countdown to the commencement of the 2025 City2Surf was drawing nearer, the clouds which dominated the skies were now beginning to part, illuminated now by the bright sun, shining down onto the roads, now glistening. The race began, and admittedly I didn’t feel too great going through the first two or three kilometres, though the pace was even, and what I was aiming for. Once settled into a rhythm, I felt comfortable and strong again, trying to spot a group of runners to pace with as it was still very early in the race. I settled in with a few runners who coincidentally were in close proximity to me on the start line (and were discussing their goal times which were around mine). Finally, the infamous heartbreak hill came into sight, and I must admit, I was still feeling quite confident, calm and comfortable at this point in the run. I worked my way up the gruelling hill, ensuring not to push too hard upwards, but likewise, not to allow my pace to drop too much. I reached the top of the hill, and despite feeling a little heavy in the quadriceps (though this was not unexpected here), I felt on track for a decent run.

The final four or five kilometres of the race are somewhat a rollercoaster; some relief in the downhills, yet still some nasty inclines. Peeking at my watch, I realised something – if I could keep pushing through to the end and maintain this pace, I’d run a personal best time. Despite the continuously tiring legs, increased heart rate and breathing capabilities becoming more challenging, I pushed on. The sun, by now, had hid behind the clouds, yet the run was not looking grey after all. Before I knew it, I was approaching Bondi, and around two kilometres left, I was still on track for a great time, so I kept pushing (though I must admit, the downhill certainly aided my second last kilometre!). The crowds lining either side of the road grew larger the closer that the finish line came into sight, and with it, the cheers and support of familiar faces of my parents, my partner Sian, and the team at Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. Taking a hairpin turn for the final 800m (give or take), I pushed the pace again. I was so close, focussed on pushing myself all the way through to the end – I didn’t look down at my watch here, I needed to focus on finishing off strongly.

After what turned out to be 49 minutes of running, I took the final turn in the race, with the finish line in sight – the final sprint. Heavy were my legs at this point, and my lungs like concrete, but I continued to push through as quickly as I could, eyes on the finishing line. In my mind, I knew I had run a fantastic race, I knew that (thank you again to all who donated to my page this year) I had raised a phenomenal amount, and that I had Dainere’s courage and persistence flowing through my veins, so all I simply was required to do was finish this taxing race. I crossed the finish line, exhausted yet ecstatic. After some Ventolin to support my asthmatic lungs, my breathing became closer to normal again, just as Mum, Dad and Sian were there to see me after the run. I could see it on their faces, they knew the run went well, but just how well, I don’t think they were ready for. I took around thirty seconds off my personal best time, achieving a 49:22 in the world’s largest fun run – and I am perfectly delighted with the result.

Sore, tired, thirsty and overjoyed, I didn’t think the run could have gotten any better, how wrong I was. The blue skies and sunshine blissfully had returned minutes after I completed the run, only their overdue presence and splendour were quickly overshadowed by the grandeur of the beaming rainbow – Dainere was, and always is, with us. Her strength, bravery and endurance are a constant reminder, not just to myself and the family, but to all, that ‘you have to go through a storm to get to a rainbow’. Again, my greatest and most honest appreciation to all who supported the success of the 2025 City2Surf in memory of my inspiring little sister, Dainere – she would be immensely proud and grateful to you all.