City to Surf Perth Western Australia

Ben Gould participated in the Channel Nine 12km run in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ on Sunday 30 August 2009.

Ben is an inspiration to anyone who is obese and proof that you can achieve your goals! Ben was 145kg and would rarely walk anywhere. He took his niece to the Perth Royal Show last year and after getting the photos back, he couldn’t believe his eyes at the person he’d become so on 1 October 2008, Ben decided to take action on his weight loss and began a healthy eating program coupled with physical activity. Ben struggled on day one of his gym session, and he could barely walk at 5km/h on the treadmill for 5 minutes. Slowly Ben began to shed the kilo’s and started to get quicker on the treadmill. Ben’s goal was to reach 120kg and he did that within 2 months, so he continued his healthy lifestyle and reached 105kg in February 2009.

Ben decided that he wanted to be less than a 100kg, so he continued to work really hard, he started to play football for Kingsway Football Club on Sunday’s and reached an amazing weight of 93kg, which he has maintained for the last 4 months. Ben now runs on the treadmill at 13km/h for one hour straight and feels great. His whole lifestyle has changed to that of a healthy lifestyle.

Ben’s biggest goal was to do the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ, something he thought he would never do in his whole lifetime and he is participating for the first time this year. He has been so excited about it for the last 2 months and has been counting down the hours. He isn’t doing it to be competitive but to bring about a full circle in his life of what he has achieved over the last 12 months. Ben has always been overweight although has realised that it is by choice and he is the master of his own destiny.

Ben's aim was to finish the Channel Nine 12km run and said that when he passes through the finish line, he was going to feel on top of the world and that he can do anything. After losing 50kg, he feels the greatest part of his journey will have taken place on Sunday 30 August at the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ.

Ben is a giving person by nature and in his third year of primary school teaching, he does volunteer work and donates blood every two months.

Ben and his wife Rattan Singh are also very excited to be getting married on 29th November 2009.

At 80 years old, Cecil is a veteran marathon runner and participated in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ Half Marathon in an impressive time of just over two and a half hours on Sunday 30 August 2009.

Originally from Britain, Cecil has been in Australia since 1962. Cecil has represented both England and Kenya however took time out from this running career to focus on his medical studies and career as a Doctor. Since resuming his running career in 1991 Cecil has completed an outstanding 26 Marathons including competing in the 86.7kms Double Marathon “Comrades” in South Africa and was the M70 Australian Champion in 2000.

On top of that, Cecil has participated in an impressive 60 - 70 half marathons!

Cecil who is affectionately referred to by some as the “Veteran master”, enjoys running with friends which he does every Tuesday and Thursday and says it inspires him to be there rain or shine as he doesn’t want to let his running partners down.

“Health is Wealth and I am privileged to remain well.. possibly because I have porridge for breakfast every morning!” 

“Freo Flyers” of Fremantle Hospital and Health Service – South Metropolitan Area Health Service, this year had 162 participants take part in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ with contenders competing in a range of events from the 4km walk/run, 12km run/walk, half marathon and marathon.

As health ambassadors, the hospital has implemented a Wellness Committee which is a great initiative that sets a fantastic example to the staff and broader community with the message to keep fit and stay active. Their goal this year was to increase the numbers of participants to a larger team then ever before!

“Our team, as always, will be made up of a mixture of novices and experienced runners and walkers. The “Freo Flyers” first flew in the 2006 City to Surf, an initiative promoted by the Wellness Committee as a fun way to get healthy. It seams to be something that has taken off and every year our numbers grow. The Wellness committee promotes the event across campus and organizes give-aways and information to help our entire members to find 30 and be active.”

When asked what the team most likes about the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ “It’s a fun event; a time to come together as a group and represent happy & healthy health workers!”

Freo Flyers inspiration to take part in the Rebel Sport City to Surf are: “Working in the Health Industry its important for us to be role models and to lead by example, being happy, health and active ensures that we are more alert and energised to care for our patients.”

31 year old, Daryl Howe (pictured in dark blue singlet) will be a participant in the inaugural Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ marathon. Daryl has not let his condition of cerebral palsy stop him being a passionate marathon runner. He first began running in 1999 and ran the Bridges fun run as his first running race. Daryl completed his first marathon in 2001 and went on to compete in 11 marathons in New York, London, New Plymouth/New Zealand, Bunbury, Rottnest Island and ran the Two Oceans marathon last year in Cape Town, South Africa which is a massive 56km.

Daryl is also involved in charity work and earlier this year Daryl ran a lap-a-thon at Hale School and raised over $16,000 for a charity called Ride Aid which builds schools in war torn Cambodia.

Daryl’s training had a slow start but his long runs are now up to 30km which is a great effort and puts him in a good position to run the marathon.

Daryl is excited to run the inaugural marathon “Where in the world can you be part of a first ever marathon (and) be a part of this historic event”.

Brock Molloy will be participating in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ 4km event with his dad and aims to participate in the 12km event next year.

At 9 years old, Brock is already a keen junior sportsman. He is a regular tee-ball player now in his fourth season; he has played a season of soccer and played two seasons of AFL Auskick. He also enjoys playing golf and has now started running with his dad!

Brock was inspired to run this years event to help his dad loose weight and because “it should be lots of fun.”

Says Brock of his running training: “I found it a bit hard at the start to increase my running distances but I’m getting better, and jogging slowly is boring so I have trouble keeping a steady pace. We have only been training for about a month but it helped me to get 4th place in a cross country run through the bush at my school.”

Brock is looking forward to the event and excited to run with his family and to get a medal at the end!

20 year old, Elizabeth Lim has been running the City to Surf annually without fail since 1999 when she was only 10 years old. This year Elizabeth hopes to earn her 11th Perth City to Surf medallion.

“It's great to see how every year more members of the community join and the event slowly grows bigger over the years.”

Over the eleven years that Elizabeth has participated she has run the 4km twice, and the subsequent times she has jogged the 12km run/walk.

“Every year I do it with most of my family members. My main motivation every year is the same - I try to beat my dad in the race, but so far, he's beaten me everytime. Nonetheless, I will still keep trying. I usually start doing a bit of light training a few months prior to august and slowly increase the intensity.”

Besides running, Elizabeth trains in Wushu which is a Chinese Martial Arts and has been at an international level for many years. She has been on the Australian National Wushu Team for the past 2 years and was honoured to represent Australia at the 9th World Wushu Championships held in Beijing, China in 2007.

“I have just recently competed at the 2009 Australian National Wushu Tournament whereby I won the Wushu National Champion title for the adult female division. I was also reselected and granted a position on the team again. Along with the other nine members of the team, we will be representing Australia at the 10th World Wushu Championships held in Toronto, Canada this October. (The Rebel Sport) City to Surf (for Activ) training will also compliment my usual training regime.”

For Elizabeth, sport plays a big part in her life as it helps her balance her busy lifestyle of studying bachelor of pharmacy, working and training wushu. She also says that the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ will always be part of her life.

Radio presenter, Dean Clairs of Mix 94.5’s “The Big Couch” on air weekdays between 4.00pm–7.00pm, will again be taking part in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ Channel Nine 12km run after competing in his first City to Surf a long 28 years ago.

Dean did his first 12km run in 1981 with his dad and ran it in 75 minutes which is a time Dean is sure to hope to match or beat this year.

When asked what inspired Dean to take part in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ, 44 year old Dean commented “The challenge to do it again, as for the first time this past year, workmates and friends have been calling me an old bugger!”

Dean’s sporting background has been his involvement with Little Athletics for Hamersley and Karrinyup from age 7 where he competed in the State championships for the 100m and 200m.

What do his colleagues at ’Big couch” think about his participation? “The couchies Lisa (Fernandez) and Shane (McFarlane) just said good luck, we’re with you but we’re not RUNNING with you”

Dean said of his training progress “Oh my god ,too much dencrub the first fortnight but slowly getting there”

What is Dean most looking forward to at this years event “CITY BEACH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” he said.

Stephen Courtney moved to Perth from South Africa in January 2009 with his wife and baby girl of 3 months to take up a position in the Deloitte Consulting Perth office. “Life is certainly different over here and it’s a great experience to enjoy other cultures and people,” says Stephen.

Stephen is an avid sportsman and loves competing in triathlons, cycling and running races. Not merely content on taking part, Stephen also enjoys the competitive side of sport. “Its largely a race against one’s own goals and ambitions and results are relative,” says Stephen. “Its about challenging yourself and improving your own times.”

On 5th July 2009, Stephen won the Perth Marathon in a time of 2h37min. “Coming from South Africa, my background has always been in ultra endurance events such as the Comrades Marathon 89km running race and ironman triathlons.” To date Stephen has run 43 marathons and one of his goals is to complete 100 marathons. At 32 years old this goal seems very much achievable.

Stephen will be joining the front runners in the inaugural Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ Marathon on 30th August 2009 and we asked him about his expectations for the race. “Since arriving in Perth in January, everyone has been telling me about the City to Surf. Friends who don’t usually run are taking part and this event seems to be very much a part of Perth’s culture. I’m excited to be taking part and sharing in this experience with the many thousands of other people out there and to have fun. I’m training hard and am hoping for a good result, and like I said, results are relative, so for me, an improvement on my Perth Marathon time would make all my hard training worthwhile.”

City to Surf veterans, Bob Johnstone and Phil Bailey have run every single City to Surf since its debut in 1975 with this year being their 35^th run.

Bob is originally from Canada and travelled to Australia in 1968 to play and coach ice hockey with the Melbourne Monarchs. Although Bob had travelled to Perth before, he didn’t come to reside here until December 1974. It was not long after he arrived, in 1975 that both Bob and Phil ran their first City to Surf and little did they know that they would be running each year after that!

Bob recalls that the first time he heard about the City to Surf was at the time of Cyclone Tracey and he was sitting with his now wife, Alison, and friend out on their porch, when they heard about the inaugural fun run. Already being an avid jogger, Bob thought it was a great idea and so he and his friend decided to take part. Since catching the running bug, not only has Bob participated in the last 34 City to Surf events, he has also ran 19 marathons!

There is healthy competition between Bob and Phil and they both enjoy a bit of fun rivalry “I just run now to keep up with Bob” jokes Phil.

Bob’s wife Alison has also participated in an impressive 33 City to Surf events as well as running in 8 marathons herself.

“The event is now bigger than Ben Hur but it’s great to see people you know who’ve you met along the way, good to get some exercise, an enjoyable day out and the atmosphere is terrific’ say Bob.

“It seems we are (pleasantly) addicted to getting from Perth to City Beach by foot.”

Phil’s training routine involves running with his club the Hash House Harriers every week although he’s nursing an injured calf at the moment and hopes to recover from his injury soon so he can resume his training in time for his annual event.

Bob trains with wife Alison and they generally run a couple of times a week with one or two long runs on the weekend. Bob said they haven’t been in full training however they will soon get underway as they are close approaching Sunday 30 August.

“Its been a great 35 years and we’ve met some great people at the run, ie. The Activ “gang”, Steve Moneghetti and Cathy Freeman.” Say Bob.

Now 67, Bob’s goal for this year is to listen to a bit of rock’n’roll music during his event and simply to “not fall down”

56 year old, Phil Bailey has a similar goal “to make it to the start and then to the finish line and to have successfully completed the event.”

“Over the years the City to Surf has become part of our lives and we have been pleased and indeed privileged to have participated in the event and supported Activ at the same time.”

Team Chevron of Chevron Australia is this year reaching new heights with over 550 participants competing in the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ. The large number of participants will be competing in a range of events including 19 runners in the inaugural Marathon!

The team has grown significantly in the last five years that it has competed, with its first team having fewer than 100 participants in 2004 to the large increase in numbers that will compete on Sunday 30 August this year. It’s a huge achievement and the team is looking forward to accomplishing its goals together in 2009.

With these fantastic large numbers, Team Chevron is in with a good chance to win the Prime Health Team Challenge where teams are competing to not only be the largest but also to run the furthest.

When asked what the team most enjoys about the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ: “The chance to participate with work colleagues and family in WA’s biggest community event.”

Some training sessions are being run at the Chevron corporate gym based in its head office building, but most participants are training on their own or with their families.

What Team Chevron is most looking forward to at this year’s event is “the massage at the end in the marquee!”

Singaporean Jenap Bte M Said is well known in her home country for her unique trademark of running in full costume and will be bringing her celebrity status to the inaugural marathon, dressed as Catwoman.

“I would like to broadcast to most of the Singaporean runners to take part (in) this marathon next year”. Jenap said

Jenap is excited to run the new course and is obviously especially interested in the fancy dress competition.

“I don’t go for placing but I like to go for celebrity to make the event memorable, I love and enjoy running marathons when dressed in costume because I look different from other runners and I easily get spotted” Jenap said.

At 50 years old, Jenap is quite an inspiration. She started running and competing in 2002 and ran her first marathon in 2006. Having just completed her 4th marathon at the Gold Coast Airport marathon she is ready to complete her 6th marathon at the inaugural Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ marathon.

Jenap trains long distance 2-3 times a week but says “a week after (each) marathon I will take a break for recovery!”

Jenap is aiming to complete 10 marathons by the end of the year.

Physical Education teacher, McKenzie Stewart, has always been an active person and enjoys playing many sports. When McKenzie was at school she was heavily involved in cross-country and athletics and represented WA for cross-country whilst in Year 10 and Year 11.

Now 25, McKenzie teaches at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School and coaches the cross-country team. She runs with her students and also runs in her own time to keep fit. She also plays basketball which contributes to her active lifestyle.

McKenzie participated in the City to Surf 4km event whilst she was younger and like many others, clearly remembers the last hill, “I can’t remember how I went, but I remember the hill up Oceanic Drive was tough and I was only doing 4km then!”

This year McKenzie is competing in the half-marathon and hopes to achieve completing the race in less than 2 hours.

“I like that it (Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ) gets people thinking about exercise, talking about exercise and actually doing exercise! It is so good to see so many people from Perth getting involved regardless of their fitness level”.

McKenzie was inspired to participate in the half marathon this year as it is a running goal to aim towards and also to run and compete with friends.

“I just thought it would be a good idea to strive for something again when running, rather than just running for fitness. It’s good to be lengthening my running distance too, since I use to always stick to doing 5km routes. I also have some friends that will be racing so it will be good to race with them… and hopefully beat them!”

McKenzie’s training has been going well. “My training has been progressing quite well. No major injuries or soreness yet (touch wood!). I am only doing the half marathon, so I’m running about 20-25km a week with the longest run I do at this stage about 12km. However, I will soon be making that distance 15km and then longer still!”

“I think the start of the race will be good fun! I am also obviously looking forward to the end of the race and crossing that finish line and hopefully achieving my goal.”

Two weeks after Erik Laurent celebrates his 36th birthday will see the Chemical Engineer from Alfred Cove participate in his inaugural marathon at the Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ.

A huge sports fan, Erik played soccer for 20 years (starting in under 6's) and has participated in a great variety of sport ranging through footy, cricket, triathlons, basketball, volleyball, ice-hockey and running. “I truly love sport....any sport, it is one of my greatest passions...whether it be watching or participating. I have grown up all my life playing sport, and it is one of my great passions together with travelling.”

With his wife Aline being from Brazil, they share similar passions (particularly soccer) and both thoroughly enjoy the great outdoor activities that the Perth beaches, climate and facilities provide.

Erik has run the Perth City to Surf on a couple of occasions in times around 55-56 minutes. Along with wife, Aline, they participated in the 12km walk together last year. “Given that Perth can be a little quiet sometimes, I love the calendar events when thousands turn out to participate and the City to Surf is certainly one of those events.”

Erik has always dreamt of doing a marathon and despite his love of exercise has yet to compete in one to date. So when it was announced that the inaugural City to Surf marathon would be held this year he knew that he would tick off something from his "list of things to do before I die”. “I knew 2009 was the year for me to give it a crack.”

Erik has been training since January and hopes to go under the 3hrs 30min barrier for the 42.2km. “I completed my first half-marathon last weekend in 1hr 39mins so I think I'm on the right track so far, but with plenty more training to come.”

“The marathon course is beautiful and showcases the best qualities of Perth with the Swan River and Kings Park in particular. I hope it attracts a huge field with plenty of quality runners. I can't wait to have the support of my lovely wife and family along the way, and collapse into the arms of Aline at the finish line!”

Mother and son duo, Liz (61) and Stuart (30) Dunn, will be competing in the Channel Nine 12km run which will be the third year they have completed the event.

They have run at a similar pace as each other in the last two years that they participated, with Stuart coming in just ahead of Liz on their first year and then on the second year Liz crossed the finish line just ahead of Stuart.

It is impressive that at 61 years of age Liz has the fitness level to compete and run on par with her 30 year old son!

Liv is proud of her achievement and enjoys training with her son whom she doesn’t see very often as he is a Geologist with BHP and travels between Perth and mine sites on a regular basis.

The Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ is an event that they can participate in together ‘I plan to continue to enjoy the event for many years to come’ say Liz.

27 year old Engineer, Tyler Byres, is a Wheelchair Racer who will be coming to Perth to participate in the Rebel Sport City to Surf Wheelchair 11km event.

Originally from Spokane, Washington, Tyler now calls Alice Springs home where he lives with his wife Analee and their two cats after basing himself there last November 2008.

Tyler is excited to return to Perth for the 2009 Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ after his last trip in 1999 where he traveled from the USA to participate in the Australian Junior National Wheelchair Championships.

Byers was born with Sacral Agenesis, a neural tube defect. He's missing all the bones in his sacrum, the lower five bones in his spine. Instead of forming properly, the bones joined together in a solid mass that impeded Byers' growth, circulation and nerve development, leaving him wheelchair-bound and his legs underdeveloped.

Tyler Byers began racing at the age of 9 years old with his first major road race in 1992 being Bloomsday 12k in Spokane, Washington. He was a College athlete on the wheelchair racing team between 2000-2005 and the same college team coach between 2004-2005 whilst studying Engineering at the University of Arizona.

Tyler has had an impressive career so far citing the following as career highlights:

Career Highlights
USA Paralympic Team (800-, 1500-, 5000- meter runs and marathon) (2008)
USA Paralympic Team (800-, 5000-, 10000-meter runs and marathon) (2004)
IAAF World Championships 1,500- meter finalist (2003)
Former USA Junior National 100-m record holder (1999-2005), and 200m (1999-2004)
Course records: Rock 'n Roll Arizona Marathon, Phoenix (1:45:07, 2008).
Rock 'n Roll 1/2 Marathon, Virginia Beach (49:00, 2006)

Sara Warner (pictured on the right of training marathon partner, Katrina Jackson) of Burns Beach likes to keep active and is involved in Surf Life Saving and has achieved several triathlons.

This year Sara is entering the inaugural Rebel Sport City to Surf for Activ Marathon with the aim “To finish the marathon and make it back in time to see my son play in his football grand final - if they make it. I’m sure there will be many more mums and dads all trying their best to get back for their children’s sporting events!”

Sara has previously run the City to Surf 12km a few years ago and had a wonderful experience and even though she does remember the last hill to be a bit challenging, her memory of the whole experience was that it was a lot of fun.

Sara is inspired by her neighbour Katrina Jackson (pictured with Sara) who will also be participating in this year’s marathon “This is Katrina’s third marathon, an amazing woman. Women in sports are great role models for other women.”

Sara’s family are also a big inspiration who encourage her and always check on her progress by asking “how’s the running”?

Sara on her training progress, “Training was going ok up until week eight – we are following the intermediate Rebel Sport City to Surf marathon guide and at the weekend had a 12km and 25km run. For our 25km (which turned out to be more like 30km, we ran for over three and half hours) – yep hit the wall, had lots of tears, weather was sleeting and blowing a gale and running was a nasty word. But today is a fresh day –focused and ready to put our shoes on - we are back on track.”

Overall, Sara says “I like the winter training leading up to the event. It’s a great way to keep fit in the chilly months – to be motivated and obtain a goal.”

Sara is looking forward to wearing “the t-shirt”, running alongside fellow contenders along the marathon route and seeing the volunteers who she says “put so much time in to make sure you’re OK”. She is also looking forward to seeing fellow marathon partner and friend Katrina, hubby and the children at the finishing line!

Ethiopian-born runner Gemechu Woyecha was the 2008 City to Surf Half-Marathon winner. This August, Woyecha will participate in the inaugural City to Surf Marathon and is set to be a front runner. Last year's win saw Woyecha set a new Half Marathon course record completing the course in 1:05:40 in cool and calm conditions. Woyecha will be familiar with the second half of the new Marathon course from his 2008 run so we're looking forward to watching him finish!

Last month Woyecha, who has been recovering from an achilles injury for the past three months, won the Scody Great Ocean Road half marathon. He was elated to return to the road and complete the 23km trek in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 53.3 seconds.

Woyecha, who trains under Australian marathon icon Rob de Castella, said proper preparation was the key to his success. "Nothing secret, do proper training, jump in, just do whatever you want," he said.

Narelle & Micah Wynter ran the City to Surf for the first time last year in 2008. Narelle has previously participated in the Sydney City to Surf however had to give up running a couple of years later due to a knee injury.

Narelle was keen to increase her fitness level again about 2 years ago "I realised my fitness levels were dramatically sliding as I hit middle age (urgh!!)" and started walking followed by early morning running intervals and within 6 months was able to run up to 40 minutes, and luckily the knee held up well!

Narelle soon later started working with a Personal Trainer who encouraged her to enter the Perth City to Surf. "It was great to have a goal to aim for". The City to Surf date coincided with Narelle's son, Micah's, school cross country so they began training together.

Micah was 9 years old when he ran the City to Surf last year and with a boy who has delayed bone growth his mum thought she would need to take it easy with him however she soon found that he was quite fast "I was having to keep up with him!"

Their routine starts at 6.15 am and they run together 2-3 times during the week from 5-6 kms with 8-10km run on the weekend.
Narelle completed the 12km run in 73 minutes in 2008 and is aiming to finish in less than 70 minutes this year.

Micah finished the 2008 Channel Nine 12km Run in a fantastic 61 minutes with his goal set at less than 60 minutes this year.

"The great thing was, that although we started the City to Surf run together, we got separated early on in the course, but Micah felt completely safe running without me as there are plenty of volunteers out on the course and lots of people around to keep an eye on things. We had a great time and it's fantastic to work on a goal together."

Play hockey for which training involves a minimal amount of running.

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR TAKING PART IN THE MARATHON AND WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHEIVE:

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR TAKING PART IN THE MARATHON AND WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHEIVE:

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR TAKING PART IN THE MARATHON AND WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHEIVE: