Thousands lace up for Darwin’s annual City to Surf race

ABC NEWS (Australia)

It was a record-breaking year for Darwin's biggest race as thousands laced up their runners for the annual City to Surf. And while some showed off their athletic abilities’ others were happy to take it slowly.

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00:00Up before the sun, ready to run.

00:05How are we feeling pre-race?

00:07Excited.

00:08It's very early for me.

00:10While some were still waiting for the coffee to kick in, others were bursting with energy.

00:14We've been training for the past eight weeks, so we're ready today to smash it.

00:18So yeah, really excited.

00:19The Northern Territory's City to Surf kicking off on the Darwin Esplanade for its 52nd year.

00:25I haven't done it before, so just trying to make the distance and do the best I can.

00:29This year's City to Surf is expected to be the biggest yet, with running fanatics, families

00:34and some first-time City to Surfers getting geared up and ready to take on the track.

00:39As dawn broke, it was on your marks, get set.

00:46The 12.5km course leading runners along the Darwin coastline,

00:50before the final push along the nightcliff foreshore, some hitching a ride to the finish line.

00:56Supporters on the sidelines offering a much-needed motivational boost.

01:01It hurts, but it feels great.

01:04How does it feel to make it over the finish line?

01:06Fantastic. Yeah, absolutely fantastic.

01:08Very good. Very proud.

01:11Taking out first place for the sixth year in a row, Tim Hewitt.

01:16Despite setting a blistering pace, the doctor and father of two says running is the easy bit.

01:22What's harder, running or parenting or being a doctor, would you say?

01:26Kids for sure.

01:27Corin Demiot was the first woman over the line.

01:30The weather was beautiful today. They turned it up for us.

01:34A fantastic day and a great turnout.

01:36Whether you were in it to win it, or you just managed to make it over the finish line,

01:41it was all for a good cause, supporting the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

01:46We might have had record numbers, but we have also had record donations this year as well.

01:51For now, it's feet up before it's time to get training for next year.

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