We know many of you have been running the City to Surf for Activ for years and we'd like to know your story. Maybe you've hit a milestone in your participation years? Have you run every 35 City to Surf events? Are you going to take on the ultimate challenge in 2009 and run the inaugural City to Surf for Activ Marathon? What have you overcome to participate? Do you just love getting involved? Please feel free to drop us a line and share your experiences of what training for, running in, and completing the City to Surf for Activ is all about for you. e-mail citytotsurf@csports.com.au

In 2009 we are adding a full 42.2km Marathon event to the City to Surf for Activ. After the overwhelming success of the inclusion of a Half Marathon in to the event program in 2007 we want to give you an opportunity to further your fitness aspirations and become part of the ever increasing worldwide interest in marathon running.

Marathon Running has become an institution for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. In 2008 an accumulated total of over 165,000 people participated in the five world marathon majors hosted in New York (over 38,000 participants), Chicago (over 37,000), Boston (over 22,000), London (over 30,000) and Berlin (over 40,000).

Marathon running should not be considered as an event for the elite but rather a challenge for the everyday person. The likes of Oprah Winfrey, Katie Holms, Gordon Ramsay, Will Ferrel, P Diddy, and even George Bush have all completed marathons; and while considered leaders in their individual domains, these individuals are in no way considered distinguished in the field of distance running. Marathon running is a test of an individual's mental strength and willingness to commit to achieving a very individual and sometimes lonely goal.

In her book A Race Like No Other Author Liz Roberts opens with a description of why people choose to take on the Marathon "Marathoners push themselves to the edge of insanity and exhaustion, because when they look back on those 26.2 miles, the view is profoundly satisfying."

The City to Surf for Activ Marathon on 30th August 2009 is an opportunity to challenge yourself to achieve something very special, a reward for commitment and desire. Whether you are simply looking for the ultimate physical challenge or the completion of the marathon carries another significant life meaning. 2009 is your chance.

Entries for all events open May 2009

With the inclusion of a full marathon in 2009 we're pleased to be able to offer on-course sustenance to all marathon and half marathon participants. We've brought on board some great supporting sponsors who will be taking care of you on the course and making sure you have all the energy required for the City to Surf for Activ. This month we're introducing you to GU.

Simple to take, simple to digest, GU Energy Gel provides just what you need for premium exercise fuel and none of the extras that slow you down.

Launched in 1991, the world's first energy gel is still the most efficient sports fuel available today. GU's carbohydrate blend delivers high-quality, easily-digested and long-lasting energy for athletes in every sport and at all levels.

Both GU Energy Gel and the new Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel pack 100 calories into every packet. 100 calories is an ideal serving size to suck down 15 minutes before training or racing in order to top off your electrolyte and glucose stores, followed by one every 30-45 minutes along the way, washed down with a few sips of fluid.

For optimum results, always drink at least 24-30 ounces of fluid per hour during training and racing.

Gu stations will be located on the marathon course at aprox. 8, 15, 17, 23, 31 & 35 Km aid stations and on the half marathon course at aprox. 2, 10 & 14km aid stations. See here for exact location on marathon course map. Visit www.gusports.com.au for further details on Gu Energy Gel and other products from Blueline Sports.

If you're on facebook, make sure you show your commitment to participate and RSVP for the event � click here. It's also a great place to share stories with other participants and stay up to date with information on the event.

ACTIV VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Volunteers are vital to the successful staging of the City to Surf. As the event has grown so has our need to recruit confident, quality volunteers who contribute to the safety of participants along each kilometer of the course. This year we will require 900 volunteers on event day � Sunday 30 August.

The 2009 Volunteer Job Descriptions information is now available; please click here to see the list.

For more information about these positions or to register, please contact Activ Manager - Volunteer Services, Deanne Dymock on 9387 0455 or email volunteering@activ.asn.au.

Activ has owned, hosted and been the beneficiary of the City to Surf since 1975. Activ is one of Western Australia's leading community benefit organisations and has provided services and support to people with disability since 1951.