Saturday saw the 16th annual Sun Run, organised by Northern Beaches Council, bring over 10,000 registered participants running, walking, pushing, and dancing their way from Dee Why to Manly Beach.
Competitors took on either the 7km or 10km course, and hundreds of runners achieved personal bests and ‘smashed’ personal records on the course, which passed Dee Why, Curl Curl, Freshwater, Queenscliff and Manly beaches along the way. Overall winner Leo Peterson, set an electrifying pace, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 30:24 minutes for the 10km event – less than a minute behind the 29:33 minute record set in 2024.
More than $106,342 has been raised so far for a range of charities, surpassing the fundraising target of $100,000.
Mayor Sue Heins had the honour of officially starting the race, and has applauded the winners and recognised all participants for their commitment.
“The energy and excitement at this year’s Sun Run were truly inspiring, with a record number of people coming together to make the event a huge success,” she said. “This achievement highlights the extraordinary community spirit that defines the Northern Beaches.
“Congratulations to our winners, who have raised the bar, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part – whether you were racing, supporting friends, fundraising for a cause, or simply enjoying the day, you’ve helped create lasting memories.”
According to Council, the Sun Run ‘continued its commitment to supporting local businesses and raising vital funds for charities,’ including Melanoma Institute Australia, Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, MS Plus and Olive & Kin.
