History Of The City-Bay Fun Run

In November 1973, Mr Bob Clarke, along with a volunteer committee established the first City-Bay Fun Run in Adelaide. The News newspaper and Coca-Cola were the first major sponsors.

The event started at the Adelaide Town Hall with 1,600 enthusiastic runners who had all paid 50c each to enter the 11.5 kilometre run which finished at the Glenelg Town Hall, opposite Moseley Square. Funds raised for the event were donated to Athletics South Australia.

In later years, the event start was changed from the Town Hall to North Terrace but the sharp right-hand curve was not conducive to the safety of the runners and it was changed to where it currently starts - at the Festival Theatre in King William Street.

Over the years various aspects of the run changed. The finish was taken to Colley Reserve and then changed to Glenelg Football Oval where it remained for many years. Arthur Jones was appointed Race Director after the retirement of Bob Clarke. Mr Jones retired in 1991 shortly before the demise of the News newspaper.

Des Paul, as its volunteer Race Director, registered the event in 1992 and formalised the existing volunteer committee members to legally protect the future of the event. The focus for fund raising was changed to assist athletics in South Australia.
The event was registered in April 1992 as the City-Bay Fun Run and is owned by the City-Bay Fun Run Committee Inc.

The Advertiser was approached to become the City-Bay major naming right sponsor and have contributed substantially over the years to build their image and association to what has become one of the biggest and best fun runs in Australia.

In 1997 the event adopted the Champion Chip Timing system to enable the event to finish at Moseley Square, where it finishes today.

The event now has a national profile and attracts elite runners, international entrants and competitors from all over Australia. It also has its own website and computer intake system.

In 2002, an additional event was added to provide people with an alternative distance - the 6K Half City-Bay - more than 1300 people entered this event which starts at the Kurralta Plaza Shopping Centre.

2002 was also the 30th year and this was celebrated with a Memorabilia Expo at the Discovery Centre, town hall Glenelg and the cutting of a giant cake by the Minister for Recreation and Sport. 2002 was a record year with 13,200 participants pounding the route to Glenelg.

With the assistance of the Advertiser Newspapers Ltd Promotions Team, the Advertiser City-Bay Fun Run registration office was established in the old News building at 15 Waymouth Street. It was small but the enthusiastic team of people coped with 12,500 entrants in 10 days (4,000 in the last 3 days). Another office was established for 3 days leading up to the event at the St Andrews Church in Jetty Road Glenelg. Nearly 2,000 entries were taken. Mutual Community Workshops were extended to 12 weeks which saw and average of 30 people taking up the opportunity to work with State coaches and ex Olympians to prepare themselves for the City-Bay event. Bands were introduced along the route with 9 taking part on the day. This proved to be a hit with the participants.

NEW INITIATIVES IN 2004

1. DAG Timing System: The most significant item this year was the introduction of the newly purchased DAG timing system which replaced the Champion Chip system. The Dag System is a French produced product that has advantages which include:

• disposable chips
• computer system that can be carried in a sports bag
• back up timing devices - badgeurs
• easy to use
• cost effective over a longer period of time for the City-Bay
• the development of the team to assist other races and events in Australia.

The Race Director, Des Paul and the Minister Michael Wright walk through the 2.3m Dag Timing System aerials. June 2004.	Gary Zeuner, Dr Phil Hamdorf, Lee-Anne Turner, Des Paul, Minister Michael Wright Launch of the City-Bay Fun Run new Dag Timing system.

2. Registration office: This was moved to 73 Wakefield Street where the downstairs open space area was utilised for registrations. Computers were kept separate in a ground floor area - this was a far more efficient way of operating.

3. Mutual Community Training Workshops: The workshops were once again conducted at Santos Stadium over the 12 week period. Workshops were extended to Elizabeth and to Pt Augusta for the first time.

New Balance Footwear demonstration Held at Santos Stadium on Wednesday nights Others at Elizabeth and Port Augusta.

4. Extra publicity: This was achieved this year with a banner placed in the Railway Station in the City and later in Moseley Square at Glenelg. The banner was also on the tram for 12 weeks.

Advertising at the Railway Station and later in Moseley Square		Advertising on the tram - Both sides for 12 weeks

5. Schools Training Program: With funding from the Adelaide City Council and Clubs SA, a number of schools were invited to Elder Park for a specific training and fun program prior to the City-Bay. Athletic SA coaches and leaders from 'Life. Be in it.' ran the program mixing fun games with running and walking clinics.

Adelaide City Council Schools Training Days @ Elder Park supported by Clubs SA

6. The Race was started with the firing of a 6oz blank from a 105m Howitzer gun - fired by the 48 Field Battery (Army) from the centre of the Parade Ground. Timing was perfected and the gun fired at 8.00am starting the official race. It was the loudest starting pistol ever!

A second gun was set up as a display in the expo area at the end of the event.