143 replies to this topic

[BostonCalling]

Feel free to call me a killjoy or Fun Police, but I just don't get the runner that sprints off at the start of City 2 Surf each year in the Superman outfit. Inevitably, he drops of the pace but not before we are forced to watch him skylark at the front of the real runners. By the fact that he has hin surname on his bib tells me that he can run a bit, so why not run the race properly and see what he can achieve? Loved Mona's comments which essentially amounted to this joker does it every year, let's concentrate on the real challengers.

[vat]

Him and about half of the male contingent in the red group.

[Tony123]

It doesnt bother me so much.  Aiden Hobbs is probably about a 32-33min 10km runner, so he is never going to win C2S.  I guess by dressing up as Superman he gets his 2mins of fame.  As long as he doesnt get in the way of the elite runners then I dont have a problem with what he does.

[SirPlod]

For the same reason people dance around and go "wooooooo!" in the background whenever a TV reporter is doing a live interview on TV.... or cars toot their horns when driving past a TV camera.

For the same reason you see people in the back-drop of the "Sunrise" morning program standing on the street, waving, on the phone to their friends/family: "Hi mum, I'm on TV, woooo!" whilst mum goes: "Just a little to the left darling, you're standing just out of the frame..."

The reason why they do this is.... erm... actually, I don't know.  

[Paul Every]

BostonCalling, on 16 August 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

By the fact that he has his surname on his bib ......

What? Kent?  

Bugger! His secret is out now!

For me this is the kind of thing that makes the C2S. It is a FUN run.

I think it is cool that a fairly talented runner still obviously enjoys his running and racing, doesn't take the event or himself too seriously and is happy to participate in the spirit of the event.

So what if it is a little irreverent to mix it with front runners for a bit. It is not like he is getting in their way or having an impact on the result of the race. Much prefer to see Superman do his thing, than the true knobs who jump in from the side somewhere around the tunnel. I'm sure there are plenty of kids on the sidelines who enjoy seeing him as well.

It's not the Zatopek.

Killjoy. Fun police.  

[undercover brother]

BostonCalling, on 16 August 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

Feel free to call me a killjoy or Fun Police, but I just don't get the runner that sprints off at the start of City 2 Surf each year in the Superman outfit. Inevitably, he drops of the pace but not before we are forced to watch him skylark at the front of the real runners. By the fact that he has hin surname on his bib tells me that he can run a bit, so why not run the race properly and see what he can achieve? Loved Mona's comments which essentially amounted to this joker does it every year, let's concentrate on the real challengers.

killjoy.
yep aidan has heaps of other runs to be serious in.
and if you've ever seen photos of some local events up here you'll see he doesn't mind dressing up on the odd occasion
he's a CR so may even pop in here himself.

[halfwaydown]

BostonCalling, on 16 August 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

Feel free to call me a killjoy or Fun Police, but I just don't get the runner that sprints off at the start of City 2 Surf each year in the Superman outfit. Inevitably, he drops of the pace but not before we are forced to watch him skylark at the front of the real runners. By the fact that he has hin surname on his bib tells me that he can run a bit, so why not run the race properly and see what he can achieve? Loved Mona's comments which essentially amounted to this joker does it every year, let's concentrate on the real challengers.

I have to agree BC. This guy is just treating this event as a joke. Everyone knows that to take fun running seriously you've got to dress as Spiderman! http://rwdaily.runne...-3-18-2011.html
PS anyone who who was this year's fastest superhero? Really they should list it.

[BostonCalling]

I agree with comments that he is not getting in the way and it is just a bit of harmless fun. Maybe it is just me. I just prefer my heroes to be understated, like a Marty Dent or a Michael Shelley or a Jessica Trengove. Actually I think I am the Fun Police and I am not even 40 yet!!

[miners]

Duffman was his CR handle here.  And not trying to sound like a jerk, but this thread comes up each year because Aiden has a tradition of doing this every C2S - it's part of what makes the event what it is

[Digger]

If he really is Superman, then I rember his undies slipping when he took on the Beer Mile.

[cattycatty]

Killjoy definitely.

[BostonCalling]

All I ask is he does something different every year. Superman is so 2008, 2009, 2010 ....

[BlueZed]

halfwaydown, on 16 August 2011 - 03:19 PM, said:

I have to agree BC. This guy is just treating this event as a joke. Everyone knows that to take fun running seriously you've got to dress as Spiderman! http://rwdaily.runne...-3-18-2011.html
PS anyone who who was this year's fastest superhero? Really they should list it.

This person is my favourite; from the 2010 Run Melbourne.

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[Digger]

BlueZed, on 16 August 2011 - 04:18 PM, said:

This person is my favourite; from the 2010 Run Melbourne.

He doesn't even look like The Stig.

[jasegroom]

BlueZed, on 16 August 2011 - 04:18 PM, said:

This person is my favourite; from the 2010 Run Melbourne.

There was a whole troop of them at C2S. Not sure how many of them actually had official entries though - I can only see maybe 3 bibs...

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Edited by jasegroom, 16 August 2011 - 04:27 PM.

[Colin]

I get the OP's point.

The first few times its a novelty, fun etc but for a potential 46min guy to keep doing it and ending up with a 56min, is pointless and just viewed as a fool.

btw, I have met Duffman - spent a weekend in a cabin next to him and his mates- and they are a great bunch of guys.

[BlueZed]

Digger, on 16 August 2011 - 04:24 PM, said:

He doesn't even look like The Stig.

Some say ... his heart is in upside down.

[BostonCalling]

Colin, on 16 August 2011 - 04:29 PM, said:

I get the OP's point.

The first few times its a novelty, fun etc but for a potential 46min guy to keep doing it and ending up with a 56min, is pointless and just viewed as a fool.

btw, I have met Duffman - spent a weekend in a cabin next to him and his mates- and they are a great bunch of guys.

I have no doubt Duffman is a fantastic guy and would be a lot of fun to be around. I throw the challenge out to him to come up with something different next year. Maybe dress up as a runner or just something different to Superman.... please!!

[halfwaydown]

BostonCalling, on 16 August 2011 - 04:40 PM, said:

I have no doubt Duffman is a fantastic guy and would be a lot of fun to be around. I throw the challenge out to him to come up with something different next year. Maybe dress up as a runner or just something different to Superman.... please!!

Dr Manhattan?

[BostonCalling]

halfwaydown, on 16 August 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

Dr Manhattan?

Had to google him. Having done that and seen his image, not so sure.

[Runjohnyrun]

jasegroom, on 16 August 2011 - 04:26 PM, said:

There was a whole troop of them at C2S. Not sure how many of them actually had official entries though - I can only see maybe 3 bibs...

I hope they followed the golden rule. Do not wear anything in a race that you have not worn at least a few times in training.

[Peterhorse]

Duffman won the Brissie marathon on debut a couple of years ago in great style.

He still pops in often here... so AH, how about a new suit... the gingerbread man a la Shrek?

Or even better, bring back the Hoff!! I recall seeing about 10 David Hasselhoff's in the top ~50 of the Melb marathon a while back... and we know he visits Bondi

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Edited by Peterhorse, 16 August 2011 - 05:07 PM.

[Rico]

I think it's excellent and gets better the more he does it.  Great to build a tradition.

[twosheds]

Rico, on 16 August 2011 - 08:13 PM, said:

I think it's excellent and gets better the more he does it.  Great to build a tradition.

I agree and think its lots of fun.

[Quinkin]

I have no problemo with it. All part of the fun, all part of the atmosphere.

I like to see which super heroes I can beat in the race.

[Davinator]

Normally battle it out with Spiderman near the last golf course, around 12-13km.
Caught him at the same spot this year but from the "dreaded" green start. (Quite good from the front actually!)
Maybe he is slowing down or he too wasn't fast enough to enter.

Wonder Woman used to cause a few traffic jams in the Kings Cross Tunnel.
People would clip the lane dividers and cats eyes- they didn't seem to be watching their feet.
Those who didn't seem to be using this as a great opportunity to re-gauge pace after a flying downhill and a steady uphill, and to check out running form.

There was a blonde Wonder Woman at the finish this year.
The fast one was a brunette. Wonder if she used her invisible plane this year in case the rain returned.
Received a flyer for the Variety (Christmas themed) Run at the finish.
How's this for an alternative- instead of Santas, how about a field of Wonder Women outfits?
I'd rather get whiplash from running in that event than the whiplash from avoiding the Borat mankinis that were paraded at C2S few years ago.
Guess the guys could wear Superman costumes or those in the non-running section, Phantom costumes  
Actually I've seen the Phantom running from at least the preferred section!

[Charlatan]

I caught up to Aidan this year and was running next to him through Dover Heights. He definitely does this race in the spirit of a fun run, gets so many of the spectating kids excited when they see Superman. Good on him, he's a C2S tradition now, I hope he does it every year!

[Easy Tiger]

I ran with him through Dover Heights in 2009. It's the loudest and most crowded part of the race every year, but the kids went crazy when Superman came through, it is definitely one of my best memories as a runner, I say good on him.

[superflake]

Superman is cool. I believe he may have had to change back into the Clark Kent disguise somewhere along the course as I somehow beat him this year.

[Duffman]

To be honest, I've never really put that much thought into it... I just get a good spot on the start line, run to the tunnel, and then high-5 kids the rest of the way to Bondi.
I guess I'll have to start training again to prove monas wrong next year.

[clanrunner]

Davinator, on 16 August 2011 - 09:34 PM, said:

Actually I've seen the Phantom running from at least the preferred section!

In 1997 the Phantom was a bloke in my training group at the time. He was DQ'd as he had a Back-of-the-Pack bib but started with the preferred runners. He was certainly quick enough for a preferred start, and probably knew a fair few of the seeded and preferred starters. It took him a few km to catch the leaders and he then stayed with them for a while before dropping off. It surprised the commentators, and gave all of our training group a good laugh

[Chelbub]

Duffman, on 16 August 2011 - 11:17 PM, said:

To be honest, I've never really put that much thought into it... I just get a good spot on the start line, run to the tunnel, and then high-5 kids the rest of the way to Bondi.
I guess I'll have to start training again to prove monas wrong next year.

Always fun to see you at the start - wouldn't be C2S without you!

But, I have wondered - do you get really hot in that suit?  I heat up so quickly when running and couldn't imagine running in a suit like that..I am glad I get the opportunity to ask you!

Rach

[mgi11a]

I don't know what the problem is,

If he lines up next year in the nurses outfit or the female cop outfit you should start to worry

mgilla

[YEKRUT]

Our very own CR The Riddler has got all the super heroes covered. He did the Canberra marathon in full costume.

[BostonCalling]

Duffman, on 16 August 2011 - 11:17 PM, said:

To be honest, I've never really put that much thought into it... I just get a good spot on the start line, run to the tunnel, and then high-5 kids the rest of the way to Bondi.
I guess I'll have to start training again to prove monas wrong next year.

Maybe run as Duffman. Now that would be funny. Now I feel bad. Don't want to take all the fun away from the kids who get a kick out of seeing Superman running along the course. Carry on Duffman. I am clearly in the minority.

[Ultramouse]

If he 'runs' as Brian the snail next year there's no way he'll get an elite bib - 4 weeks might just be a little slow. My link

(Is 'My link' how I wanted it to read?)

Edited by ultramouse, 17 August 2011 - 08:17 AM.

[SirPlod]

Duffman, on 16 August 2011 - 11:17 PM, said:

To be honest, I've never really put that much thought into it... I just get a good spot on the start line, run to the tunnel, and then high-5 kids the rest of the way to Bondi.
I guess I'll have to start training again to prove monas wrong next year.

Wouldn't it be all shades of awesome if you won it next year - in the Superman suit! That'll get the kids going!  

[iRonnie]

It's not really Superman?     First Santa now this.  I refuse to believe this nonsense.

Jerry Siegel was a chronicler - not a story-teller.  And kids, DC comics can't tell us everything Superman gets up to on his rest days.

Resist.

Coolrunning's moderators: Please shut this thread down now before any more damage is done. This is an outrage.

[halfwaydown]

iRonnie, on 17 August 2011 - 12:37 PM, said:

It's not really Superman?     First Santa now this.  I refuse to believe this nonsense.

Coolrunning's moderators: Please shut this thread down now before any more damage is done. This is an outrage.

You mean Santa isn't real either!?
Coolrunning moderators: Please shut iRonnie down now before more damage is done. This is an outrage.

[Tony123]

iRonnie, on 17 August 2011 - 12:37 PM, said:

It's not really Superman?     First Santa now this.  I refuse to believe this nonsense.

Jerry Siegel was a chronicler - not a story-teller.  And kids, DC comics can't tell us everything Superman gets up to on his rest days.

Resist.

Coolrunning's moderators: Please shut this thread down now before any more damage is done. This is an outrage.

Next thing someone will say that Lame isnt a real person.

[iRonnie]

Quote

Next thing someone will say that Lame isnt a real person.

Or a sponge with square pants!

Anyway here's the start of a real fun run.

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Edited by iRonnie, 17 August 2011 - 06:54 PM.

[Rico]

So what was the split for the first km?  I'd love to know.

[Duffman]

Chelbub, on 17 August 2011 - 07:14 AM, said:

But, I have wondered - do you get really hot in that suit?  I heat up so quickly when running and couldn't imagine running in a suit like that..I am glad I get the opportunity to ask you!

Thanks Rach
Yep, it has a polystyrene front so it gets pretty hot, and the cape was a bit heavy in the rain. There was steam coming off it at the end.

BostonCalling, on 17 August 2011 - 08:14 AM, said:

Maybe run as Duffman. Now that would be funny.

Done  

mgi11a, on 17 August 2011 - 07:36 AM, said:

If he lines up next year in the nurses outfit or the female cop outfit you should start to worry

Haha hey!! What happens on the 500k road relay, stays on the 500k road relay

[SMC42K]

I don't believe he is the REAL superman. The REAL superman wouldn't be running, he would be flying!!!!

[halfwaydown]

SMC42K, on 17 August 2011 - 07:22 PM, said:

I don't believe he is the REAL superman. The REAL superman wouldn't be running, he would be flying!!!!

Ande he seems too mild mannered  

[DaiRees]

I ran with Superman most of the way (well just behind until Dover Heights, level down Miliatry Road and just edged him at the finish) and fair play for the entire race everyone loved him. Everytime you got to a new crowd section there was a cheer. Made my race really - I asked if I could be his side kick as he had his own fan club plus as you can clearly see he's behind me in my finish photo I am offically faster than Superman, which was nice.
So all in all you've got to hand it to him.

[lajoers3]

Love your work Duffman. I actually think you're rather inspirational. City2Surf has become a serious goal for me but it's also about having some fun on the way. I have been thinking about what I could dress up as for future runs as i'd like to have something that would attract quite a bit of attention to me for the sake of my chosen charity (Brain Foundation) and yet still not be too restrictive or uncomfortable for running. I ran from yellow group this year but i'm hoping to get to register in green group next year. I think it's great that someone in the red group can still bring an element of fun to the day (not that others don't have fun but I guess you are more obvious about it). Of course there will be the serious contenders that are there to attempt to be outright winner and I get that because if I had the ability i'd probably go for it but still wouldn't it be cool for someone dressed up to win the event. Maybe I could be wonder woman??? (I guess there's already been plenty of those) Oh well, a whole year to think and plan.

[Colin]

BostonCalling, on 17 August 2011 - 08:14 AM, said:

I am clearly in the minority.

Don't worry BC, two of us in the corner.

I am sure the kids get just as much fun out of seeing all the other supermen, spidermen etc running in their cohort... I am not saying they shouldn't. I am all for it in a fun run. And I am sure other runners get inspired running next to them.

But when someone fronts up every year with the same goal of getting 2 min of TV fame I find it an annoyance watching the leaders. I am sure the real lead pack would rather not be distracted by someone upsetting their rhythym.
Especially when he looks uncomfortable at the pace, it looks foolish to be doing it.

IMO

Edited by Colin, 18 August 2011 - 11:22 AM.

[miraball]

I don't know what all the fuss is about. He looks amazing in that outfit!

[Rico]

Colin, on 18 August 2011 - 11:21 AM, said:

Especially when he looks uncomfortable at the pace, it looks foolish to be doing it.

Isn't the pace in question well under 3 minutes/km?  How many people would look comfortable doing that in a superman suit.