Keep the engine running through winter.
Four ways to get yourself to the start line of the 2026 City to Surf on 9th August 2026 — whether you’re walking it, shuffling it, running it, or quietly thinking you’re due a Nike deal.
Why enter… and why prepare?
Because it’s easier to stay in motion than it is to restart from dead still. A winter target gives you a reason to move, a bit of structure, a bit of discipline, and a healthy excuse to keep the body honest. Then, when summer rolls around, you’re not dragging an old chassis into January — you’re already humming.
How this works
Scaling programs perfectly for everyone is impossible — but I’ve broken my 40 years of running thoughts into
four sensible categories that cover most of the Snowy population nicely. Each plan is an 8-week build,
set up in microapp style, with auto-save tracking so you can log your progress as you go.
For the most part, I prescribe time on feet and your recommended perceived effort —
not “you must hold this exact pace for this exact number of kilometres.” That’s how I’d coach a bespoke athlete.
This is broader, smarter, and far more practical for real people juggling real lives.
Pick your lane, then let’s get moving.
The only mistake here is choosing a category that flatters your ego instead of matching your actual body. Get that bit right, and these plans work beautifully. Get it wrong, and winter bites back.
The “Walk of Life” Plan
I love walking, nothing hurts, and the after-party will start when I finish.
This is the perfect entry point for those wanting a strong winter health target without the nonsense. We build confidence, routine and healthy time on feet — all under control, all very doable, and all moving you toward the start line in better nick than you are now.
Pampy Principles
We’re slowly building and accumulating time on feet at your healthy, controlled effort. Nothing heroic. Nothing silly. Just good, honest winter work. We’ll add a 60-second pre-session warm-up set and a 2-minute post-session tum, bum and back set so your body starts to feel a bit more athletic while you’re at it.
The “Everyday, I’m Shuffling” Plan
A bit of walking into the odd shuffle… and no, we are not charging Heartbreak Hill head-first.
This one is for the punter who wants to move beyond straight walking, but still wants a very sensible build. We drip-feed in the shuffle, keep the effort right where it should be, and slowly let the body learn how to handle a little more bounce without having a tantrum.
Pampy Principles
We practise the walk:run (shuffle) method, always at your most appropriate intensity. That means controlled breathing, manageable legs, and progress that feels sustainable. We’ll also throw in a short body-strengthening set after every second workout so the frame starts coping better with the job.
The “Running Down a Dream” Plan
I plan to run, at my pace, the whole way — whatever time that has me finishing.
This is for the runner who wants to run the event honestly and sensibly — not chase fantasy numbers, not blow up for Instagram, just run the whole thing at the pace their body can genuinely sustain on the day.
Pampy Principles
While running, it’s all done at your ideal effort. There is no obsession with pace like “I must hold 5:10s.” We log building miles, matching time on feet to your best perceived effort, while throwing in a few hills and weekly running-specific strength actions to keep the structure honest.
The “Born to Run” Plan
I’m looking for a Nike contract, I wear carbon-sprung shoes, and apparently carbs are for civilians.
Righto, hero — this one is for the stronger, more experienced runner who actually wants to stretch the system. Not recklessly, but properly. If you’ve earned the right to do a bit more, this is where the upper end lives.
Pampy Principles
After a sensible warm-up period, we start stretching out and touching the upper limits. I’m recommending interval sessions, stronger hill repeats, and a longer weekend hit-out. Still structured, still smart — just with a sharper edge.