Former Australian of the Year and pathologist Richard Scolyer joins 90,000 City2Surf runners

Australia Broadcast Center

4 days ago

Former Australian of the Year and world-renowned pathologist Richard Scolyer is among the 90,000 runners hitting the pavement in the City2Surf.
Speaking ahead of his start time at 8:20am as part of the blue group of runners, he told ABC News he was "really excited" to be taking part in the annual event from the Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach.
"I'm very excited to be here with 90,000 people doing the City2Surf, there's nothing better," he said.
In March, he announced that after a period of remission his terminal brain cancer, diagnosed in 2023, was back and he had only three months to live.
But he told ABC Radio National on Saturday that he was making the most of his time, and it was down to "luck" that he was still here.
He achieved another milestone in June when he clocked his 250th ParkRun.
The 58-year-old, who was joint Australian of the Year in 2024, is running in the City2Surf with his wife Katie, and is raising funds for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, where he once worked and now receives treatment.
The couple first took part in the event 21 years ago, when their first-born daughter Emily was just months old and in a pram.
"I remember one time actually she had a number two, and we had to pull over to change her nappy and that slowed us up," he said on Saturday.
"And the back ambulance that follows the people went past us, so we had to run to catch up."
At this year's City2Surf, Isaac Heyne was first to cross the finishing line in the men's category, with a time of 40 minutes and 33 seconds.
It was an improvement on his time last year when he also took out the top spot.
Bronte Oates, who came third last year, was the first female through the winners' tape with a time of 45 minutes and 51 seconds.
When Professor Scolyer was asked about whether he was looking to set any records today, he laughed and said "No".
"But also to keep pushing on with research — that's how we can change the field and improve outcomes … but in some cancers, including the brain cancer that I've got, the outlook is not too good."
Also taking part is Robyn Smith, who believes there is nothing wrong with "living flat", and plans to make the message clear.
The 46-year-old has decided to run bare chested, displaying the scars of her double mastectomy to break the stigma around choosing not to get breast reconstruction, and live without breasts.
"So about six years ago I had a risk-reducing mastectomy and yeah, now I live flat," she said.
Ms Smith said she was inspired by United Kingdom advocate Louise Butcher, who ran the London Marathon twice to bare her mastectomy scars and represent thousands of women globally "living flat" without breasts.
She will be among 90,000 runners in this year's sold-out fun run, which will once again go from Sydney's CBD to Bondi Beach — the same route that's been in place for 55 years.
The six-time City2Surf runner is raising funds for charity Inherited Cancers Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support for people who have a strong family history of cancer.
She realised she could either watch and wait to see if she developed the disease, or have surgery to remove her breasts and drastically reduce her risk.
In 2012, after her mother was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she had genetic testing and discovered she carried the gene mutation known as BRCA2, which dramatically increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Shortly after, she had her breasts removed. She believes her mother saved her.
"I'm able to manage my cancer risk. She's saved my life, and unfortunately she died because she didn't get the knowledge that I am privileged to have," she said.
Ms Smith has also had her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed for the same reason.
Painted across her scars will be the words "flat out of funding" which she said is about the critical shortage in donations that is impacting services being offered by Inherited Cancers Australia.
"You know the demand of genetic testing is just continuing to go through the roof."
Both her mother and grandmother have died from the disease. Her uncle lived with prostate cancer, and most recently her 36-year-old cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The NSW government has warned the public to prepare for road and transport disruptions.
"While it's a fantastic celebration of community, fitness and fun, it does bring major road closures and detours, and we are calling on everyone to plan ahead," Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
Motorists should expect major delays across the Eastern Suburbs, with all roads sealed off by 7am. From 11am onwards, roads will gradually begin to be opened.
The quickest completion time of the fun run is held by Australian runner Steve Moneghetti in 1991, at about 40 minutes and 2 seconds.
The final runners expected to reach the finish line by 2pm.