Ambassadors

Growing up in Naracoorte, South Australia, Jess Stenson was a devoted sports fan who would eagerly flick through the Sunday Mail each year after the City-Bay Fun Run to look for familiar names. Her first experience with the event came in Year 10 while boarding at Annesley College, when she and her sister Abbie were invited to participate. They signed up and loved the entire experience — and Jess has lost count of how many runs she’s completed since, estimating around ten. In her former career as a physiotherapist, Jess particularly enjoyed working with clients who had set the City-Bay as a personal goal. She found it exciting to watch both first-time and experienced runners progress through their training and achieve something meaningful, often with loved ones cheering them on. For Jess, the City-Bay is a truly inclusive and iconic South Australian event that brings people together. It offers the chance to get active, train with friends or colleagues, and support a cause close to your heart — all while having fun. A standout memory for Jess was meeting her now-husband at the 2014 City-Bay after-party! Jess encourages first-time participants to build up their training gradually. If you’re not sure where to start, she recommends following a structured training plan or joining a running group — it helps take the thinking out of it and makes the preparation more enjoyable and sustainable.

AFL legend and breakfast radio host, Bernie Vince is swapping the footy boots for runners as he takes on the City-Bay Fun Run with his SAFM team. After a bit of a break from the gym, Bernie was looking for a fresh challenge – and the City-Bay was the perfect motivator. “We’re putting together a team with our SAFM fam, so we’re in it together. I’m pumped!” he says. Bernie’s first City-Bay was a memorable one – but not for the reasons you might expect. He was playing footy but hadn’t trained for it or run for a month. He ended up crossing the finish line with a full-blown double quad and double calf cramps. A tough way to learn a valuable lesson! That experience is exactly why Bernie’s biggest advice for first-time participants is simple: train. “Make sure you do some sort of training, so you don’t end up like me!” he laughs!

Alice Monfries is back to run the City Bay again, and this year her 7-year-old son Max will be running alongside her. The Nine News Presenter ran the 12km event last year after deciding to get back into running for the first time since having children. A few months later, she ran her first marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon. Her goal was to inspire more mothers to find the time and motivation to prioritise their own their health and fitness, but after involving Max and her daughter Grace in some of her training runs, she also ignited an interest in running for her whole family. “Instead of my young kids being the reason I didn’t have time to run, they became the reason I made time,” she said. “And rediscovering my love of running has inspired them to get into it too. “The City Bay is such a fantastic event for the whole family to do together. It gives you a shared goal to work towards and train for together, and I’m so excited to soak up the atmosphere on the day as a family and cross that finish line together.’ Alice’s 9News Run for a Reason team is raising money for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation, helping to fund SA’s first Rocket Ship MRI simulator to help children prepare for scans and feel more brave and calm. “Fundraising is also such an important aspect of the City Bay and it’s been really special to involve my children in that and see them learn about the importance of giving back and raising money for an important cause.”

Izzi ran her first City-Bay at just eight years old with her stepdad Chris, and the event has been a part of her life ever since. she competed regularly with her Seymour College team, and after running 45:01 the day after her 18th birthday, she began to take running more seriously. After time in the U.S. for college, she returned to the event in 2018, placing 1st South Australian and 4th overall. In 2022, she won the Half Marathon in a course record, and in 2024, she broke the 12km course record by over 30 seconds. That win, just weeks after narrowly missing an Olympic final, was one of her proudest moments – especially sharing the day with over 100 RunAsOne members. For Izzi, City-Bay is always a highlight: it falls on her birthday weekend and has become a celebration shared with her school, family, partner Riley, and her running community at RunAsOne. “It’s got a really special atmosphere, and I love that I get to toe the line with so many familiar faces!”