It takes training, persistence and months of organisation. Just like Tanzanian Patrick Nyangelo who won this year’s City to Surf, the Rev Tom Henderson-Brook’s seven year ‘winning’ streak at the event is no overnight success.

This year parishioners from Andrew’s Bondi Beach gave away 18,240 orange slices to runners who crossed the finishing line.
They were ably assisted by members of the youth group from St James’, Croydon.
“It was a huge day,” says Mr Henderson-Brooks.

“We had more pressure on us because they’d brought the start forward a half hour. One of the difficulties is getting the oranges to the finish line and once the runners start coming through its pretty much impossible.”

Mr Henderson-Brook’s says assisting the event is shifting people’s perception of Christianity.

“It’s raised the profile of the church in the community’s eyes,” he says.

“In a period when the church is often being villified for all sorts of things, we’re starting to be seen as a group that is doing something postitive in the general public’s eyes.

Christian ministry is a marathon, and Mr Henderson-Brooks says the success of the event is down, in part to, having the persistence to stick it out.
“We are now part of the scene,” Mr Henderson-Brooks said. “The regular runners actually seek us out to get an orange.”
This year runners were again invited to a free BBQ lunch at St Andrews.
A crowd of 200 came along for the free snag with close to 80 runners staying for the after-race service, swelling the numbers as well as the hearts of the normally small congregration.
“In our church it has only translated into a couple of people joinging the congregation,” Mr Henderson-Brooks says.

“But I reckon that everybody in my church enjoys doing it. It’s a lot of work but it certainly has a positive effect on us. We’re connecting with the community in a way that’s positive, creative and energising.”