Runners and Walkers finishing City2Surf at Bondi, Photo Credit Sasha Woolley Sun-Herald City2Surf

Whether you are a competitive runner, a casual jogger or even a walker, road races are a great way to put your skills to the test, meet new people and soak up a great atmosphere – not to mention a great opportunity to see Sydney in a brand new light!

You might be preparing for one of Sydney’s exciting running events or you may simply be looking for a new route to mix up your routine in the harbour city – either way, read on for our guide of the best running destinations and most popular races in Sydney this winter.

The Sun-Herald City2Surf – August 11, 2013

The Sun-Herald City2Surf is known as Australia’s premier road race with good reason. It is frequently cited as the world’s largest run, with an estimated 85,000 racers making their way along the 14 km route from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach.

This race passes through some of Sydney’s most iconic inner-city suburbs – including King’s Cross and Rose Bay – before runners make their way to the sparkling waters and bright sand at the Bondi Pavillion finish line.

Racers are encouraged to fundraise for their favourite charity – in 2012, more than $4 million was raised for a number of worthy causes.

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival

While the City2Surf holds the title of the largest road race in terms of the volume of participants, the other jewel in Sydney’s running crown is the exciting Blackmores Sydney Running Festival, which takes place in September.

Of course, the signature event here is the Blackmores Sydney Marathon on Sunday September 22, which takes in iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, but there are also a number of other running events taking place as part of the festival.

These include the Blackmores Half Marathon and the Sydney Bridge Run, covering distances of 21 kilometres and nine kilometres, respectively. If you are planning on running or walking with young ones, or you prefer a shorter distance, there is also the Family Fun Run, which crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge and ends in the Royal Botanic Gardens for an approximate distance of 3.5 kilometres.

Even if you’re not racing in the Sydney Running Festival, the atmosphere is positively electric – come out and cheer your friends and family on from the sidelines or at the finish for a brilliant day out.

Training for Sydney’s biggest races

Many runners find that smaller runs offer an excellent opportunity to train for the large-scale race environment of the City2Surf and the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival – and there are a few great road races hosted in the NSW capital in the lead-up to its biggest running events.

The 2013 Real Insurance Harbour 10K: A 10K is a great way to kick-start a successful race season, and thanks to its flat route, participants in the Real Insurance Harbour 10K – which takes place on Sunday July 14 this year – often achieve some of the fastest times in all of Australia. This run begins and ends in The Rocks and crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge, giving you beautiful views of the harbour and much of the city, as well as landmarks like the Sydney Opera House.

The Bay Run: A popular option is the Bay Run – a fun seven-kilometre loop that weaves its way around Iron Cove. Unlike most racing events, it is even open to dogs – so if you love running with a four-legged friend, this could be the race for you. Best of all, the Bay Run takes place on August 4, just one week before the City2Surf.

Running in Sydney

Whether you are training for one of Sydney’s premier winter racing events or you simply want to get out and about in the harbour city, there is no denying that the NSW capital is a great place to get out and go for a run.

Sydney is known for its beautiful parks and beaches, which lend themselves perfectly to an active lifestyle.
If you are looking for a great running route in and around the city, here are some of our top picks.

Bondi to Coogee: A waterfront route passing by some of Sydney’s most iconic beaches is a popular walking track – and it is a great place to go for a run too. You can choose to make this run as long or short as you want – the path extends past Tamarama and Bronte beaches too.

Royal Botanic Gardens: If you are looking for a quick place to go for a run near the Sydney CBD – maybe on your lunch break or near your hotel – the Royal Botanic Gardens offer the perfect venue. Tracks here overlook the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and you can enjoy running on gentle, paved paths.

Royal National Park: This venue boasts more than 93 kilometres of walking and running tracks to suit all levels and abilities. We recommend the ten-kilometre loop at Kurra Moors, which offers a great challenge in a beautiful natural setting. The Royal National Park in Audley is approximately 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD, so we recommend traveling by car to this destination.

Bush running on the Manly to Spit Bridge Path: For those who love bush running – ‘trail running’ to our American cousins – this track offers something a bit different than conventional running. Expect some stairs and rugged terrain to provide additional challenges, but you will be rewarded by stunning views of Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the setting for some of the city’s most well-known races, but locals know that you can run right over the bridge on any day of the year! The bridge spans two kilometres in one direction, opening up plenty of opportunities to run around Luna Park, Kirribilli and the secluded bays in the inner Sydney Harbour to the north. There are also paths to the south of the bridge that wind their way through the historic streets of The Rocks, as well as the new developments at Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. Or if you run toward the city and veer left on the Cahill Expressway, you can also access the brilliant running routes in the Royal Botanical Gardens near the Sydney Opera House.

Centennial Parklands: This Sydney landmark actually encompasses three parks – Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park – and offers plenty of quiet tracks. In Centennial Park, which spans 189 hectares of land, you can even choose to run on the grass – which can be a welcome break for your legs if you are used to running on pavement.

Sydney Olympic Park: There are few more inspirational running venues in the harbour city than Sydney Olympic Park. Here, you’ll be able to access more than 35 kilometres of cycleways, as well as gravel paths to explore in the Narawang Wetlands and timber boardwalks. The park can be easily accessed by train, bus or even ferry, and there are also plenty of parking spaces available for those who prefer to drive.

Do you have any other suggestions for brilliant running venues in Sydney? Where is your favourite place to get outside and make the most of the sunny winter weather?

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Taking place from Sunday July 7 to Sunday July 14 at the spectacular Sydney Opera House and a range of other stunning Sydney venues, the event – which is now in its 24th year – welcomes young instrumental performers and singers from all over the world.

As a global educational festival for community and school groups, it attracts between 900 and 1,300 participants each year – and is the perfect opportunity to check out local talent from here in Australia, as well as the United States, China, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand, to name a few.

You can expect to see a diverse range of groups represented at the festival, from choirs and jazz bands to wind ensembles and full orchestras. When the musicians aren’t performing, the event also offers them a unique opportunity to develop their music skills with new friends through cultural exchanges and world-class clinicians who travel from all over the world to share their talent and expertise.

In addition to the Concert Hall in the famous Sydney Opera House – one of the most famous performance halls in the world – a number of other venues in Inner Sydney also play host to Australian International Music Festival participants, including an outdoor venue in Darling Harbour, Sydney Town Hall and the City Recital Hall, which is better known by locals as Angel Place. St Andrew’s Cathedral will also host choral performances.

You won’t want to miss a second of this welcoming musical and cultural celebration, which offers plenty of family-friendly appeal.

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With large crowds in attendance, great weather and amazing acts and installations, we have received some great images so far from on our photo mashup. Here are the top images we have collected to date:

What are your favourites images so far?

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Whether you are planning a family day out or a weekend of arts and culture, the harbour city has something to offer everyone on the June long weekend – here are some of our top picks for things to see and do in Sydney from June 7 to 10.

Vivid Sydney 2013 Lights Up the City

Soak up some culture with Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Film Festival

The June long weekend is not only a celebration of the Queen’s birthday, it is also the backdrop for two of Sydney’s largest cultural events of the year – Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Film Festival.

Vivid Sydney begins on May 24 and runs until June 10 – and if you have ever wondered what the city is like after dark, now is your perfect opportunity to find out! Many of Sydney’s most famous landmarks are illuminated in celebration of this annual event – most famously, the sails of the Sydney Opera House are brought to life with coloured lights and animation.

To make the most out of this stunning carnival of light, music and ideas, head down to Circular Quay where you can walk among the striking light installations.

Vivid Sydney also coincides with the Sydney Film Festival, which runs from June 5 to 15. Now in its 60th year, the festival showcases the best short films, dramas, comedies, documentaries and animation from Australia and around the world. Many of the screenings take place at the iconic State Theatre – you will want to book your tickets well in advance.

Seaside at Coogee Beach, Photo Credit Destination NSW

Head to a beach

Even in the winter, Sydney boasts plenty of sunshine – and just because it might be a bit chilly for swimming, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other great things to do!

Pack a picnic and head to Bondi Beach to watch the surfers in action, or jump on the ferry at Circular Quay and take the kids to Manly for an unforgettable beach day out. Alternatively, you can hop in the car and drive up the Northern Beaches, or head out to Cronulla for some surf and sand.

The kids will love building sandcastles, and with many beaches offering nearby barbeque facilities and plenty of great walking paths, you have all the ingredients for a great family day out.

Shop until you drop

Eveleigh Artisan Markets at Carriageworks, Eveleigh – Photo Credit James Horan

A long weekend represents the perfect excuse to indulge in a little bit of retail therapy – and luckily, there are plenty of great markets to enjoy during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

One popular choice is the Eveleigh Artisans Market, which takes place on Sundays from June 2 to July 7. Here, you will find plenty of beautiful and creative handmade products – ideal if you are looking for the perfect souvenir of your Sydney break.

Elsewhere, Paddington Markets are a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon in support of a good cause – these markets fund the Eddie Dixon Centre, which offers services for homeless and disadvantaged Sydney residents.

You can also find beautiful wares and plenty of treasures at the Bondi Markets or the Glebe Markets. Glebe Markets, which boast more than 200 stalls, are open from 10:00 until 16:00 every Saturday and offer a great selection of food, clothing and handicrafts, while Bondi Beach Public School hosts its weekly markets on Sundays.

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Sydney Opera House hosts Blak. Photo Credit: Steve Back

If you love contemporary dance, you won’t want to miss a performance of Blak at the iconic Sydney Opera House this June.

From Friday June 7 until Sunday June 22, this iconic Sydney landmark plays host to this incredible production, which was created under the guidance of artistic director Stephen Page and dancer/choreographer Daniel Riley McKinley.

The production, which is presented by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, also features music composed by David Page and fused with the electronic beats of Paul Mac for an unforgettable Australian soundscape that offers a true feast for the senses.

Combine this with the stunning set designs created under the leadership of Jacob Nash and you have the formula for a winning production.

Blak tells the stories of Indigenous Australia in a powerful, moving and energetic way – exploring issues including the business of men and women, as well as our universal and timeless need for spiritual connections. It has been hailed as a triumphant celebration of one of the oldest cultures in the world and offers an explosive, unforgettable experience.

The performance is suitable for audience aged 12 and up, and has received rave reviews from leading publications such as The Herald Sun and The Australian.

If you are keen to experience the magic and mystery of Blak for yourself, why not make a night of it and enjoy a beautiful dinner on Circular Quay before the performance or relax with a drink after the show?

Sydney Oyster Bar, Circular Quay – Photo Credit Jamie Williams

There are plenty of brilliant venues in the area to choose from, ranging from three-course dining experiences to tapas and even dessert-only options.

Circular Quay is an easy walk from the Sydney CBD, and if you are travelling from further afield, it is also a major transport hub – trains, buses and ferries all make regular stops here.

View from Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House – Photo Credit Dan Gosse

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This stunning and dramatic production is set to be held at the world-famous Sydney Opera House and promises a feast for the senses.

Directed by Tama Matheson as her mainstage debut for Opera Australia, and starring New York Metropolitan Opera soprano Svetla Vassileva, you’ll find plenty to love about The Force of Destiny.

The production also welcomes tenor Riccardo Massi in the role of Don Alvaro, and marks the Sydney Opera House debut for respected bass Giacomo Prestia, who will be performing alongside Opera Australia favourites Jonathan Summers, Kanen Breen and Warwick Fyfe.

Verdi’s Force of Destiny is sung in Italian with subtitles in English and the production is approximately three hours long with two 20-minute intervals between each of its three acts. The production will run from Saturday June 29 until Tuesday July 23.

Did you know that the Sydney Opera House is a World Heritage Site? If you are keen to learn more about this stunning structure that has become one of the most iconic buildings in the harbour city, a day tour could provide the perfect opportunity – these run nearly every day and are available in many languages so that everyone can experience the magic of this beautiful and famous venue.

A night at the opera is also a brilliant chance to explore Circular Quay before or after the show to enjoy a meal or a drink. We especially love Opera Kitchen, which is located right at the Sydney Opera House and is a brilliant place to grab a bite to eat in a beautiful harbourfront setting before the performance.

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This stunning production was created by Normand Latourelle – a co-founder of the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil – and features more than 50 stunning horses performing alongside 42 riders, skilled acrobats, aerialists, musicians and dancers from all over the world, all under a signature white big top.

“We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Australian tour, and it is an honour to bring this show, an idea that started in Canada, on the other side of the world, to a country which has such great affinity with both the performing arts and the horse,” said Latourelle, announcing the first-ever tour Down Under.

Cavalia, which has already been experienced by some 3.5 million people in North America and Europe, and is set to arrive in Sydney on May 15 for an extended run until June 2 due to popular demand.

A dozen different horse breeds are featured in the show, including Appaloosa, Belgian, Quarter Horse and Spanish Purebred – and it can take between six months and ten years for a horse to learn its Cavalia part, especially the equestrian art of dressage.

If you are keen to catch Cavalia during its nearly three-week-long run in Sydney, the performances will be held on the Showring in the centre of Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, which is located at 122 Lang Road, Moore Park.

This is a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat before the show. There are plenty of restaurants onsite, including the Bavarian Bier Cafe, where you can enjoy a meal before you head into the white big top for an unforgettable night of entertainment.

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Emily Lil Black Book

Steph Kramer Watermelon Crush

Every year, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia sets up in Sydney to celebrate the fashion and culture that define our Australian style. For the first time, Carriageworks at Eveleigh (near Redfern) became the nation’s style attraction as Australia’s most innovative fashion designers, red carpet celebrities and retailers joined in a style-packed spectacular. This year’s event ran from 8- 12 April and unveiled the Spring Summer 2013/14 collection.

Today, we talked to two of our favourite fashion and style bloggers to give you an inside look at the event and the trends in Sydney fashion. Emily, the freelance stylist behind Little Black Book is a recent Sydney Uni grad and has attended fashion weeks across the globe. Steph is the free spirit behind Watermelon Crush, a blog covering fashion across the author’s travels, photos, and art.

Romance Was Born – Image By Lil Black Book

What has been the most enjoyable part of fashion week so far?

Emily: Probably Romance was Born. I loved everything about it. It wasn’t just the show, but very theatrical with installations and everything. I also loved the whole lounge aspect

Steph: The best part of Fashion Week for me is feeling like being a part of something significant in the Australian Fashion industry. I love the hustle and bustle, the clothes, the people and the atmosphere. And the thrill of sitting front row at shows – something you don’t get anywhere else.

Who are your favourite designers this season?

Emily: I would say Phoenix Keating, Alice McCall, and I always enjoy watching new generation shows as well.

Steph: My favourites are usually the same every year, including Michael Lo Sordo, Ginger & Smart, Aje and Manning Cartell. This year there were also two designers that really impressed me – Watson x Watson and Vanishing Elephant.

How would you describe Australian style as compared to that in other countries?

Emily: I think Australian Style is very laid back but also daring. We’re isolated over here, so we’re not as influenced by the rest of the world. We influence ourselves instead. We’re daring and probably use lots of tailoring and prints.

Steph: Australian fashion is more fun, cheeky if you like – than the European fashion. As I’m born and bred in Sweden I come from a background of very fresh, clean design – which I love, but Australian fashion is a fun injection with plenty of jaw-dropping talent.

Alice McCall – Image by Lil Black Book

What’s surprised you about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia?

Emily:  The change of venue gives it a different vibe and different atmosphere. The events at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in years past had a much more luxurious feel than the trade feel this time (at Carriageworks). It’s my fifth Sydney fashion week, but I’ve also been to New York fashion week once and to New Zealand’s twice.

Steph: The venue (Carriageworks) was a pleasant surprise this year. After announcing the move from the OPT to Carriageworks I was a little bit worried about losing the ‘Sydney’ element about Fashion Week, but I must say I’ve enjoyed every part of it, it’s very different which is fun!

What are your favourite Sydney places/ things to do outside of fashion week?

Emily: I love to go find really good places to eat. We have some little bars that are a bit American-esque in design. I also love shopping and local markets, plus I like getting to do the touristy things like going to art galleries.

Steph: Sydney is such a beautiful city, it’s very hard to go wrong. I love The Rocks as you’ve really got the best of everything there – the city, the harbour and the Opera House. I must say that being out on the water in Sydney has to be the best, it’s an experience unlike any other.

Which Sydney neighbourhood is your favourite for shopping? 

Emily: I really enjoy Paddington, they also have their markets on Sunday and there are little boutiques and nooks and crannies to discover. It’s fun because you really have to go find little boutiques in alleyways. And it’s not just about fashion, there are great places to eat as well.

Steph: Surry Hills is definitely my favourite, as it’s full of quirkiness and surprises. I do love the mid-city shopping also, if you’re looking for something specific. But if you’re on a bit of a wanderlust trip then Surry Hills is definitely the place to discover something new.

We Are Handsome – Image by Steph Kramer

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Every year, the best comedians from Australia and around the world come together in Sydney for this side-splitting event, and with performances from Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), the 2013 Theatresports National Championships and Margaret Cho to take in, among many others, you won’t want to miss a second of the action.

A variety of Sydney venues play host to the event, including the Enmore Theatre, the Metro Theatre and the York Theatre at the Seymour Centre. If you’re keen to experience all the glamour of a gala performance, there are two to choose from – the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala, which is hosted at the Sydney Opera House, and Cracker Night.

Cracker Night is the major opening night gala – and it’s no surprise that it starts the festival off with a bang! The event takes place at a variety of venues and is considered to be Sydney’s biggest night of comedy all year – you can even reserve tickets for a special VIP party at the Metro Theatre to continue the evening of celebration in style.

This year, there will also be a second Cracker Night show due to popular demand, so if you miss all the excitement on April 23 at the Metro Theatre, you have another chance to take in all the action on April 24 at the Enmore Theatre.

Other acts set to perform during the Sydney Comedy Festival include 2010 Irish Comedian of the Year David O’Doherty, the UK’s Daniel Kitson, the US’s Arj Barker (who you may recognise from Flight of the Conchords) and Scotland’s Danny Bhoy, among Australians Josh Earl, Joel Creasey and Greg Fleet, to name only a few.

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Players including current world number one Lee Chong Wei – who hails from Malaysia and holds the title of top men’s singles player, as well as an Olympic silver medal for doubles – will complete for more than US$120,000 during their time in the harbour city, which is set to kick off on Tuesday, April 2. This is the highest cash prize awarded in any Oceania-based badminton competition.

The competitors hail from more than 28 different countries and will compete in all five disciplines of badminton – men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.

Badminton is considered to be among the world’s fastest and most exciting racquet sports, and you will want to be there to see all the action kick off – the tournaments will get progressively more intense as players compete for a spot in the April 7 final. Daily tickets can be purchased for this event through Ticketek – note that the price of adult and child tickets rises as the week progresses.

The tournament takes place at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre in Darling Harbour – which is also an excellent base for anyone travelling from outside the city to experience all the excitement.

The area is home to a host of family-friendly venues and attractions, including the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship, as well as WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Darling Harbour is just a ten-minute walk away from the Sydney CBD and visitors can rest assured that there are several accommodation options to choose from in the area.

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