Last weekend, Perth played host to one of its biggest community events, the annual City to Surf race.

Raising funds for local charity group, the Activ foundation, an eclectic mix of runners and walkers, old and young together, make their way from St Georges Terrace in the City to City Beach on the coast.

Originally, the course was a straightforward 12 km stretch, before a 4km walk option was added, to cater for those who sought involvement but lacked the necessary fitness for the long haul.

This year also featured a half marathon and full marathon options – a massive 45 kms.

It’s a fun event, with many runners sporting fancy dress outfits to brighten the occasion. The finale is somewhat akin to a carnival atmosphere with a fairground and  huge marquis banquets provided by Perth’s rich mining companies for their staff.

I ran my first City to Surf event 25 years ago, wearing a Target tee-shirt, who were my employers when I first arrived in Perth. Needless to say, having completed both the Guernsey and Jersey half marathons the year before that, I was a fit and relatively skinny young man back then. The race drew around 4,000 runners.

Since then I have completed, I think, eight City to Surfs, but I have to confess that the last one was about five years ago!

Today, the event caters for around 42,000 entrants in the various categories. Jo was an excited, first time participant.

Wearing a middle aged tyre these days, I decided to use the event as a motivational tool to help me improve my fitness level. To show I was really serious about working on my fitness, I also gave up drinking alcohol for the four weeks leading up to the race.

Despite a few lengthy training stints, I was still not as prepared as I would have liked, but nevertheless, my girlfriend Jo and I made the effort and completed the race (in time for a hearty breakfast courtesy of Jo’s employer, Chevron).

We’re now determined to maintain our new habits of going for walks and jogs, and have set a goal to improve on our time next year. This fits in well with our goal to complete the Inca Trek (45 kms) to Macchu Picchu in Peru next year.

With our walk to and from the race, plus the race itself, we covered around 18 kms on foot last Sunday. We were both pretty stiff and sore that evening, so we still have some training to do, but I am glad to say that we were both exhilarated for sticking to our goals, including a dry month for me.

The moral of the story – Keep setting fun goals – they keep you young at heart.

Plus the act of committing to a pledge you have made to the person in the mirror can be a catalyst to empower you to achieve other goals as well.

I highly recommend the idea to my clients (subject to medical clearance of course!)

Until next time, seize the day!