Sunday’s (August 11) 14-kilometre road race started at the heart of Sydney’s CBD – Hyde Park.

Its lawns and fountains were perfect for those wanting to get in some deep stretches before the long haul.

The 7:50am start saw runners cruise down to the tunnels of Kings Cross.

It was an easy warm-up compared to what came next; Rose Bay’s notorious HeartBreak Hill.

The steady incline turned the crowd into a sea of red faces, with runners rehydrating at the various water stations along the route. A long trail of cups was left behind, as the more serious powered through to beachfront Curlewis Street and their end goal – the golden sands of iconic Bondi Beach.

For those setting a more leisurely pace, the surf and dreamily moored boats were a sire’s call for an Instagram moment.

All runners were met with cheers as they passed through the arches of the finish line, before making a beeline to the massage booths and free food.

— Sidney Boen