Andy Buchanan, the winner of this year's 14-kilometre City2Surf race, announced his plan to "run back to the start" after crossing the finish line first in a field of approximately 90,000 participants. The 35-year-old Victorian, who previously held the Australian marathon record, completed the course in 40 minutes and 27 seconds. This result means the course record, which stood at 40:03 and was set by Olympian Steve Moneghetti in 1991, remained unchanged for another year. Buchanan, who competed in the marathon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, expressed his intention to return in future attempts to break the record. He mentioned that he has upcoming marathons to prepare for, indicating that the City2Surf win is part of his broader training regimen. The race, held on August 9, 2026, saw over 90,000 participants take to the streets of Sydney, marking it as one of the largest running events in the world. In the women's category, Oscar Colman Holly Campbell claimed victory, finishing the race in 46:35 at Bondi. This achievement was particularly notable as it marked Campbell's first appearance in the elite category. She surpassed the time previously set by her twin sister, Paige, who had finished second in the same race two years earlier. Campbell, who grew up on a farm in central New South Wales, shared how winning the race fulfilled a childhood dream. While some participants approached the event with serious intent, others embraced the spirit of fun and creativity. A group of four runners dressed as football referees and linesmen used whistles and red cards to keep the crowd entertained during the race. Many other participants opted for costumes, either for humor or to support charitable causes. Since 2008, participants have collectively raised more than $63 million for various good causes, highlighting the event's role beyond mere athletic competition. The race started at 7:30 am, though many competitors had already gathered near Hyde Park in the city's Central Business District before dawn. Diego Soto, wearing blue-tinted aviator sunglasses, aimed for a time under an hour. His strategy focused on maintaining speed before reaching Heartbreak Hill, the challenging section between Rose Bay and Vaucluse. Another participant, Dan Agnew, admitted that while many complain about Heartbreak Hill, he found it exhilarating. Agnew, too, targeted a sub-60-minute completion time. Jessy Bonney prepared for the race by listening to upbeat emo music, believing it helped her harness the crowd's energy. She described feeling connected to the collective excitement during the "ready, set, go" moment, emphasizing the sense of unity among participants. Personal trainer Omid Toloo, who has been running the City2Surf since 1996, noted that this year's race would mark his 31st participation. He expressed hope for many more races ahead, even joking that he would be content if he could continue until the age of 80.
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