Brian Boyd
2016 SUTHERLAND 2 SURF attract a strong competitive field
- Wanda Beach, Cronulla Sydney NSW.
Elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners and walkers lined up on Wanda Beach for the PAYCE Sutherland2Surf fun run and walk.
Good but chilly conditions prevailed for this year's PAYCE Sutherland2Surf fun run and walk from Sutherland to Wanda Beach, Cronulla on Sunday, 24 July 2016.
The event is in its 45th year and is one of the longest running major community fun run events in Sydney and is the lead up to the City to Surf. This year, forty percent of entrants came from all over Sydney, as well as the Illawarra and the Central Coast regions, noted Mr. Brian Boyd.
Undeterred by the wintery weather, 5,557 competitors turned up on the beach to face the Sutherland swell. Attracting a strong field of elite athletes as well as thousands of recreational runners and walkers, the event included a team from Vision Australia Caringbah with their guide dogs.
Brian Boyd, PAYCE are very proud to be associated with the Sutherland2Surf.
PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said this was the third year that PAYCE had been associated with the event and the first as naming sponsor.
"The Sutherland2Surf is now well-established as one of the Shire's premier sporting and community events and PAYCE is proud to be associated with such a popular and important fundraiser for the club and the other worthy charities that benefit from the day" continued Mr Boyd.
Volunteer funds and support save the life savers.
"Without the funds raised by the event, the club would not be able to undertake its role as volunteer surf lifesavers," said Wanda Surf Life Saving Club President, Mark Sargeant.
"There are significant costs to organise an event of this nature, so without the support of our many volunteer club members, lifesavers and sponsors, the PAYCE Sutherland 2 Surf would not be viable," he said.
"I know how important the day is as a fundraiser for the club", said Mr Brian Boyd, "for its members to be able to continue to provide essential surf lifesaving programs on Wanda Beach."
"While it continues to be enjoyable for family and friends, the event appeals to everyone in the community, providing serious competitors with a real challenge and at the same time benefiting some excellent and worthy causes.
Mr Boyd, thanking all those who participated, said "Congratulations to everyone who contributed to another successful Sutherland2Surf, including all the competitors, and especially to the organisers and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the day went smoothly.
"A number of our staff and friends joined the event again this year and they thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the day," remarked Mr Brian Boyd.
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club President, Mark Sargeant acknowledged support from the whole sporting community of competitors and spectators participating in the event, "Wanda Surf Life Saving Club would like to thank everyone for getting behind this great community event."
Sutherland2Surf Fun Run and Walk is one of the shires most popular events of the year – Brian Boyd.
Continuing a trend in recent years, female competitors made up the majority of the field, outnumbering male competitors by more than 650, remarked Mr Brian Boyd.
The women's section winner was Milly Clark from Abbotsford, who finished 13th outright in a fast time of 36:37 minutes. She was followed home by Charlotte Wilson (37:58 minutes) and Belinda Martin (38:18 minutes).
Milly Clark used the event as part of a strict training regime before she leaves later in the week to represent Australia at the Rio Olympics in the women's marathon.
She qualified for the Olympics after finishing third in her first world-class marathon in Amsterdam last year and went on to win the 2015 New Zealand half-marathon in Christchurch and the 10,000 metres at the NSW Championships.
And to the winners go the accolades ...
Over the years, the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club event has attracted some big name athletes as well as emerging champions and this year was no exception, noted Brian Boyd.
First runner home in the 11-kilometre event was 20-year-old Jack Rayner, who crossed the finishing line in a time of 32:26 minutes. Second was last year's winner, Jordan Gusman (32:38 minutes), in a photo finish with Matthew Cox (32:39 minutes), who placed second last year.
Event winner, rising track star Jack Rayner made the long trip from Melbourne to take part in the road race, adding valuable experience to a promising sporting career that is heading towards international recognition.
In addition to prizes for the winners of each of the age and team categories, all finishers, including the guide dogs of the Vision Australia Caringbah team, received a medallion to mark their successful completion of the 11 kilometre course.
Former Olympic and Commonwealth Games track and field star, Jane Flemming was along to hand out many of the prizes and medallions at the finish on behalf of PAYCE.
Winners of the three team categories were:
- Kareena Private Hospital – Gym and P/T Team Challenge: Nuff's Fitness
- Caltex – Corporate Team Challenge: Sydney Water
- Runners Team Challenge: Love Mercy.
Full results can be found on the website www.sutherland2surf.com.au.
- Brian Boyd – Managing Director of PAYCE Consolidated Pty Limited Sydney NSW
- Brian Boyd – PAYCE Consolidated Pty Limited, Sydney Property Development Company
- Brian Boyd –Apartment Developments in Sydney
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