This year’s Brooks PAYCE Sutherland2Surf Fun Run & Walk event saw the closest finish in its 44 year history, with just one second separating the first and second placegetters. The winner was Jordan Gusman, crossing the finishing line in 33 minutes and three seconds and taking the narrow victory from Matthew Cox with Bryce Coles-Sinclair in third. The women’s race winner was Olympian and Shire resident, Eloise Wellings, who crossed the line in a time of 36 minutes 24 seconds, with Alexandra Grant and Laura James taking out the minor placings.

After supporting the Wanda Surf Life Saving Club’s annual fundraiser last year as a category sponsor, leading Australian property company PAYCE was pleased to come on board this year as joint naming sponsor for the 2015 event.

PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said his company is proud of the close association with Wanda Surf Life Saving Club.

“The Sutherland2Surf is firmly entrenched as one of the biggest and most popular community events in the Shire and we are thrilled to be part of this important fundraiser which benefits the surf club and a number of other worthy causes,” he said.

“At PAYCE, we believe in enhancing local communities and supporting those bodies that tirelessly work in bringing communities together and also those that help people in their time of need.

“A number of our staff and friends participated in the event last year and again this year and had a great time,” Brian Boyd said.

This year’s 11 kilometre event attracted a number of elite athletes, which included the women’s category winner, 2012 Olympian and three times Commonwealth Games athlete, Eloise Wellings; four-times Olympic marathon runner, Steve Moneghetti; and dual Olympian, Ugandan Julias Achon. Although not participating in the event, Olympic track and field star, Jane Flemming was on hand as a guest of PAYCE at the assembly area to help with some warm ups for participants.

Held in cool, comfortable conditions with lots of sunshine, the event this year was in stark contrast to the weather that prevailed during the week in the lead up to the event when the Shire saw its share of bleak, wet and blustery conditions that hit many areas of the state.

PAYCE General Manager, Dominic Sullivan said that it was fantastic to see nearly 6,100 starters turn up on the day given the atrocious weather during the week.

“The wonderful thing about this event is the fun atmosphere and the opportunity for family and friends, children and even toddlers to share the experience and support a good cause,” he said.

“And what an exciting finish for the serious contenders, with the leaders neck and neck for much of the race and swapping positions all the way to the finishing line.

“Once again the event was extremely well organised from start to finish and everyone associated with the day are to be congratulated for their efforts,” Mr Sullivan said.