McGrath a television winner as ‘barefoot’ runner and women’s champion cross City2Surf finish line

The 2012 London Olympics may have placed restrictions on athletes being sponsored, but not all athletic events take the same stance. 

Sydney’s annual Sun Herald City2Surf fun run understands the importance of sponsorship for amateur athletes, allowing companies to sponsor individual runners. 

Sunday’s televised race brought a big audience for Sydney real estate agency McGrath, with the company logo on one runner’s singlet. 

McGrath sponsored both Harry Summers (who wore a singlet with the agency's logo) and Lara Tamsett for the 14-kilometre run, which starts in the eastern suburbs of Hyde Park and finishes along the sandy shore of Bondi Beach. 

Last year the event had 85,000 runners and raised more than $3.6 million for more than 600 charities. 

Summers, 22, came second, and Tamsett, 23, was the first woman to cross the finish line. 

Sponsorship can be seen as a form of survival for most athletes, especially those who devote much of their lives to training their body and mind. 

Tamsett maintains a regular training regime of about 100 kilometres per week in the lead-up to the race, making sure to listen to her body in order to avoid injuries. 

Summers, aka the barefoot runner because of the minimalist, no-support “barefoot” five-fingers shoes he wears, has competed in the event for the past three years, finishing in the top 10 on all occasions. 

“Both Harry and Lara are eastern suburbs locals who train in Centennial Park under the guidance of Sean Williams,” McGrath chief operating officer Geoff Lucas told Property Observer. 

“The City2Surf is an iconic community event which is part of Sydney’s DNA and as a company McGrath is very proud to be able to offer our support to two dedicated young people who are passionate in their endeavours,” Lucas says. 

McGrath declined to indicate the extent of its sponsorship but says this is the first year it has sponsored City2Surf.