Australia’s largest road race, City2Surf, offered a unique post-race recovery experience for its 90,000-plus finishers last Sunday. Partnering with race sponsor Uber, organizers transformed the iconic Bondi Icebergs ocean pool into a massive ice bath, providing runners a refreshing way to recover after completing the gruelling 14-kilometre course from downtown Sydney to Bondi Beach.
The Bondi Icebergs pool, famous for its breathtaking views and naturally cold waters in the Australian winter, was filled with giant ice cubes to create an ultra-chilled environment. This innovative approach taps into the growing trend of runners using ice baths for their ability to reduce inflammation and aid in muscle recovery.
City2Surf, which attracts more than 80,000 participants annually, challenges runners with its steep hills and scenic route, offering stunning views of Sydney Harbour and the city’s most famous beaches. This year’s post-race ice bath, available exclusively to Uber One subscribers, gave thousands of exhausted runners an unforgettable way to cool down and rejuvenate.
A spokesperson for Uber One said the inspiration behind the event was to create the world’s coolest ice bath. There were hundreds of miniature iceberg floaties that provided a chill recovery for Uber One members (and finishers).
Many Australian runners use the City2Surf race as a warm-up for the Sydney Marathon, held annually on the third Sunday in September. This year, the Sydney Marathon is scheduled for Sept 15. Following the 2023 marathon, news emerged that Sydney was making progress in its bid to become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the prestigious Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City marathons.
