World's largest fun run

75,000 take part in City to Surf run from Sydney to Bondi beach

75,000 take part in City to Surf run from Sydney to Bondi beach

A record human wave of 75,000 able-bodied and disabled men, women and children of all ages, walked, ran, jogged, pushed prams and, generally, had a fun time yesterday in the iconic 14-km City to Surfu00a0 run from the heart of Sydney to the world-famous Bondi Beach.

In the process they raised more than Aus$2 million (Rs 8 crore) for charity in the 39th edition of the run, the biggest community foot race on the planet.

The London and New York marathons may be better known but the Sydney fun event is miles ahead of both combined in terms of participation.

According to official statistics, the London Marathon, run in April, had 35,306 contestants and the New York Marathon, last November, 38,096.

The JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt, held in June, had 60,042 official entries, the Cursa El Corte Ingles in Barcelona attracted 57,175 runners while the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree 10-kilometre run had a cap of 55,000 entrants.

Bhagam Bhag: Participants at the City to Surf run.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore termed yesterday's run "a celebration of our beautiful, outward-looking city and the lively and diverse people within it, our sense of community, our love of the outdoors and healthy living."

Entries for this year's event were closed at the maximum 75,000 mark more than a week before the race.