Four weeks after braving the storm at the Accura Perth Half Marathon, I lined up for Perth’s famous Chevron City-to-Surf Fun Run on 31st August 2025. Its reputation had certainly preceded it. I had heard it described as one of the city’s most iconic races, known for its massive crowds, challenging hills, and that unforgettable finish by the ocean. The Perth City to Surf began in 1975 with around 500 runners covering 12 km from the CBD to City Beach, and over the years it has grown into Western Australia’s largest community fun run. The event has evolved to include a 4 km course, a wheelchair category (added in 1983), while also expanding to regional WA towns. More than just a race, it has always had a strong community and fundraising focus supporting disability services and drawing tens of thousands of participants annually.

Race day greeted us with perfect sunny weather, a welcome change after the stormy half marathon just weeks before. I drove to Bull Creek Station and hopped on the train into the city. It was so exciting to see other runners in their race bibs and gear – it felt like the whole of Perth was heading to the same destination. At Elizabeth Quay Station, clear signage directed each wave to their start areas.

By the time the sun was higher, the start area was buzzing with a hub of runners and supporters. One highlight before the start was spotting a runner I follow on Instagram – I called out her name (to her surprise!), and we had a quick chat. Then, as Wave 2 gathered, I stretched my legs, danced to my playlist to embarrass my kids, and chatted with a seasoned runner who briefed me on the hills to expect. I went in with no goals other than to have fun and use it as a training run for my October Half Marathon. When the gun went off, the atmosphere was electric.

What I Loved About the Race

Vibrant Atmosphere: I’ll be honest: Big, commercialised events with all the bells and whistles aren’t always my thing, though I’ve had some incredible experiences. But as a new runner in Perth and a self-proclaimed “runner blogger,” I knew I had to experience this iconic race at least once. And wow, what an introduction! From watching the seeded elites set off on the giant screen, to feeling the electricity of a 29,000-strong crowd, to surging under the gantry as flames shot into the sky before tackling that first hill, the atmosphere was unforgettable. The streets were lined with cheering supporters, including one travel company with witty signs, my favourite being, “Remember you paid to do this!” At every fuel stop, volunteers radiated joy as they handed out water or electrolytes. Their energy, along with the buzz from the running crowd, carried me step after step.

Running from the City to the Ocean: The point-to-point route was an absolute highlight. We started in the heart of the city, weaving past Kings Park’s leafy fringes before heading through the bustling streets of West Perth. The course then carried us alongside Perry Lakes Reserve and through leafy Floreat, where some families cheered us on with homemade signs and cheers. Each section along the 12 km course had its own flavour—from the bustling city streets to the serene parklands, gradually giving way to the fresh breeze as we approached the ocean. That first glimpse of the sparkling Indian Ocean was the ultimate reward.

The Infamous Hills: Coming from Gaborone, where most of my running has been on flat terrain, hills have always been my nemesis. But after a few months of tackling Perth’s hillier routes, I have felt myself getting a lot stronger. Everyone had warned me about the City-to-Surf hills, and yes, they were tough. But to my surprise, I embraced them. Or rather, I embraced how they made me feel. Each climb demanded grit and gave me a renewed sense of strength and purpose, and every crest felt like a small victory. Strung together, those little wins built into one big triumph by the time I crossed the finish line.

Carnival Finish: The final stretch was exhilarating. The descent seemed to pull us forward, carried by the cheering crowds, the beat of music, and the thought of a coffee at the end! Crossing the line didn’t just feel like completing a race, it felt like stepping straight into a festival. There were rides spinning for the kids (and the brave adults who dared to join them), the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and stalls serving juicy hamburgers, sweet treats, and more. The whole scene had a carnival buzz – families laughing, runners collapsing onto the grass in happy exhaustion, and the hum of celebration in the air. It was the perfect ending to a race that had been as much about joy and community as it was about running.

Smooth Organisation: From start to finish, the logistics were outstanding. Even the day before, collecting my race bib at the WA Boola Bardip Museum felt effortless – no queues, friendly volunteers, and a smooth, well-organised process that set the tone for the entire event. On race day itself, everything flowed just as seamlessly: clearly marked signage at the start, ample porta potties, and well-placed water stations with cheerful volunteers who kept us moving. I loved that there were buses for supporting families to head to the finish area and return shuttles to take runners back into the city, something I’d worried might be complicated but turned out to be impressively efficient. Every detail felt thought through, leaving me free to simply soak in the experience and enjoy the run.

Final Thoughts

This was a race I entered with no expectations – just the intention of enjoying myself. And maybe because of that, I ran stronger than I imagined I would. I powered up the hills, stayed steady on the flats, and crossed the line with a huge rush of endorphins. With an average pace of 6:42 min/km, it turned out to be one of my fastest, if not the fastest, 12 km I’ve ever run. Maybe it was because I was relaxed and not chasing a goal, the run felt like a celebration of running. The sweetest moment, though, came afterwards when my kids declared that they want to run it with me next year. So much for my “one and done” mantra – looks like Perth’s City to Surf will be making a return to our family calendar!

Your Turn

• Have you ever signed up for something with no expectations, only to surprise yourself with how well it went?
• Would you run a big, buzzy race like this, or do you prefer smaller, more intimate ones?
• If you were at the 2025 Chevron Perth City to Surf, I’d love to hear your experience!

Love from The Gaborone Runner – one street, one story, one run at a time

I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics! Please join the party every week!