Fourteen undulating kilometres from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach. Six giant inflatable melanomas. One sold-out event. And a small but mighty team of supporters and fundraisers who rallied an incredible $26,279 to support Australians with late-stage melanoma.
The 2025 City2Surf on 10 August, 2025 was destined to be special for the Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation (NEMF). Neil loved running. He and partner (and NEMF Founder) Sonia ran City2Surf together more than once, never imagining that, years later, it would become a signature fundraiser for our cause.
But it’s fitting; Neil loved Sydney, he loved the beach, and he lived an amazing life filled with purpose and love.
Melanoma mascots, Heartbreak Hill, and a whole lot of heart!
Team Beat Melanoma joined the famous ‘back of the pack’, where the atmosphere is pure fun, and the focus is more on selfies than Strava times. And this year, our brand-new melanoma mascots joined the line-up, turning heads and capturing the attention of media and spectators alike!
These next-gen melanoma warriors walked the full course, braving some seriously challenging weather to shine a (non-UV) spotlight on Australia’s ‘national cancer’.
And while the costumes brought the laughs, our mission at NEMF is a serious one: to ensure that all Australian melanoma patients have equal access to vital treatments, trials, and support services, regardless of their financial position, giving them a fighting chance of beating their cancer, for good.
Fundraisers going the distance!
We were thrilled to welcome more than 20 fundraisers to our team this year; just our second time entering City2Surf as team and our very first inviting volunteer runners and walkers to join us, like:
- The team from Novon, which donated $1,000 up front, then raised over $6700!
- Brendan, who ran for his mum, who was diagnosed with melanoma a decade ago. “The care she’s received at Melanoma Institute Australia has been great,” he said. “It’s something that should be available to anyone who goes through this.” Brendan swapped the flats of Melbourne for Sydney’s notorious Heartbreak Hill and raised over $1,100 with his wife Natalie.
- Isobel, back in Australia after a decade abroad, took on the course in honour of Neil’s memory. “Don’t ask me how I feel after Heartbreak Hill,” she joked before the race, “but I’m thrilled to be representing Beat Melanoma this year. It’s a cause that’s really special to me and my family.” Isobel raised over $1,600.
- Maria and Rudy, who together raised over $1,700, and joined us for their very first City2Surf ever!
- And special mention to friends Claire and Jess, who were late entries but raised $1351 in about a week!
A $10,000 pledge from Neil’s UK family brought the finish line into focus
Our $10,000 ‘dollar matching’ campaign, generously sponsored by Neil’s UK family, was the final push we needed to get us over the line. We simply could not have achieved what we did without them.
So, to everyone who ran, walked, donated, fundraised, or simply cheered from the sidelines: thank you.
You’ve done Neil proud and, thanks to you, now we can help more Australians living with melanoma garner the strength, support, and hope they need to keep moving forward.
Sonia and Neil pre-City2Surf 2017
Until next year, Heartbreak Hill. We’ll be back!
