Eleven local students with disabilities will take on Australia’s biggest fun run next Sunday. Each is designated a running ‘buddy’ from the excitingly named Students Take Charge Committee (STC), and student Robert Schumacher is a fan of the system.

“My buddy Cameron [Dagger] has helped me with my co-operation, and tried to keep me running in training,” he said.

“I’ve tried to have a positive attitude, and I’ve also got to know [Cameron] heaps more.”

The colourful City 2 Surf starting area is one of the few places Robert - and his green-flecked hair - won’t stand out. Cameron has no doubt his buddy can finish the 14km run and cross the line at Bondi Beach in quick time.

“You should be running, because you’re good at cross-country when you concentrate,” he told Robert.

Running isn’t for everyone. The students have trained every Wednesday by jogging or walking 14km from the Tuncurry campus to Forster’s Bennett Head.

“Five hours is the limit on the day, then we have to get back on the bus,” team organiser Niki Hale said.

“Some students will do it in two hours and some will do it in four.”

In the Advocate’s limited experience, the race is a blur of training in the lead-up, panic as organisers hunt for your registration and relief at the summit of Heartbreak Hill.

Then amazement at the African guy who, without breaking a sweat, wins with an average speed more than you can maintain over 100 metres.

Kieran Hennessey, buddied with Nathan Dillon, will run his second City 2 Surf.

“None of us got lost last year, which was good,” he said.

“A lot of people come out to watch, and they drink champagne and things like that. I enjoyed seeing all the bands playing.”

A contingent of teachers will swell the Great Lakes armada to 60 people. They’ll sleep well the night after the race.

“Our coach leaves at 4am, with lots of teachers and teachers’ aids,” special education head teacher Graeme Ross said.

“We have breakfast at Maccas, then everyone runs the race and I have to find them all. Then we have dinner at Maccas.”

“Two Maccas and 14km in between. Not a good combination,” Kieran said.