40 Years of City2Surf
2023-08-02
30 Years of The Kids’ Cancer Project inspiring 40 Years of City 2 Surf for one member of our community
The City2Surf is one of the most iconic fun runs in the world. Bringing 80,000+ people together from all walks of life to run, jog, walk or stroll the iconic 14km course from Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach. The reputation of this uniquely Sydney event has grown year on year and the event is widely recognised as a ‘bucket-list’ item for serious runners and adventure lovers around the world.
One incredible member of our community is celebrating running City2Surf for the 40th year in a row this year, and to celebrate The Kids’ Cancer Project’s 30 Year Anniversary – he wants to run and raise as much money as possible for our charity and childhood cancer research.
Read on to hear more about Dan’s inspiring story!
Where it all began
Dan ran his first City2Surf in 1984 when he was 10 years old, running with athletes young and old, professional and novice.
For the 39 years thereafter, Dan has kept coming back, with the City2Surf now woven into the best and the worst of his own journey.
Life-changing news
In 2004, just 2 weeks after running his 20th City2Surf, Dan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma and given a fairly dire prognosis. That year for Dan included months living at the Prince of Wales Hospital, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and rebuilding the muscle to walk and ultimately run once again. The 2005 race was a tough one, and over the next few years, whilst battling the side effects of aggressive chemo , Dan kept running (and walking) to Bondi. In 2006, Dan was diagnosed with avascular necrosis due to the steroid treatment and over the next couple of years had both hips replaced with shiny new ones!
But he does count himself as one of the lucky ones.
Looking ahead
This year, Dan will be thinking of the approximately 1500 kids each year in Australia diagnosed with cancer, and their resilience and courage to get up each day and run their own race back to health.
You can join Dan in the City2Surf this year and help us find kinder, more effective treatments for kids with cancer. Join Dan’s team or donate to his fundraiser here: https://city2surf23.grassrootz.com/the-kids-cancer-project
Register for the race here: https://city2surf.com.au/