From Pub2Pub to Beach2Beach

It started out as a race between two pubs – the Dee Why Hotel and the Newport Arms – but in three decades it has grown into one of the most popular participation events on the Northern Beaches.

Back in the 1990s, both hotels were owned by the Bayfield family, who instigated the Pub2Pub race.

Over several years numbers grew and, due to traffic issues, the start was moved to Dee Why Beach.

After a few years, the Rotary Club of Brookvale took on the event as its major project when
Rotarian Michael Olofinsky saw benefits in such a collaboration.

“The Beach2Beach team was, and still is, led by a group of passionate Rotarians who believe this event is a great way to give back to the community, especially to those facing difficulties,” said Phil Jackson, one of the chief organisers.

The aim of the Rotary Club of Brookvale is that 100 per cent of every registration fee goes back to local charities and organisations.

“We are able to do this because of generous sponsors – URM, who has been with us for many years, and the Harbord Diggers since we changed the name to Beach2Beach and expanded it as a family event.

“But it is more than a fundraiser – it is a great community event in which people of all ages and abilities can participate.”

The serious runners start strong and finish in under an hour while the later waves of runners and walkers take a more relaxed pace and enjoy the beauty of the course.

As well as the 13km start at Dee Why, there are starts at Warriewood for a 6km event and at Mona Vale for 3km – all finishing at Newport.

A few years ago, the Beach2Beach team asked the Rotary Club of Upper Northern Beaches to assist with the finish festival, which is being ramped up this year for an even greater event.

This year, the Rotary Club of Brookvale merged with the Rotary Club of Dee Why Warringah and the new club is the Rotary Club of Warringah.

“Another change this year was to co-promote the Beach2Beach with another fabulous Northern Beaches fun run – the Rotary Club of Manly’s Fun Run, which was held early in May,” said Beach2Beach organiser Robert van Geest.

“There is a lot of benefit in working together, as all Rotarians know, so doing this should build both events in the years to come.”

To be held on Sunday, August 27, the Beach2Beach’s entry fees – expected to exceed more than $250,000 this year, will all go back to the organisations that help at the event – seven Surf Life Saving Clubs, the SES, Rural Fire Service and to the nominated charities: Life Education, The Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation, Women’s Resilience Centre, One Eighty, Stewart House, Community Centre Northern Beaches and Northern Beaches Community Cancer Charity.

To register for this year’s event, visit www.beach2beach.com.au