Meet the Babblers: The City2Surf’s most talkative squad

Their crimson shirts might be unmistakeable, but you’ll probably hear these golden girls before you see them as they conquer the 2026 City2Surf.After all, they’re known as the “Ballina Babblers” for a reason: not even the punishing ascent of Heartbreak Hill could put the brakes on their rapid-fire banter.The Ballina Babblers warming up for the big race at Hyde Park on Saturday. Their matriarch is Anne “Anna” Sharpe (left). Audrey RichardsonThe matriarch of the Northern Rivers group is Anne Sharpe, 85, while their youngest member, Narelle Fahey, is a spritely 67.Together, they will take on the fun run on Sunday, 25 years after they first entered as a group of 10 in 2001.In the interim, they’ve more than doubled in size to 21 members, lost partners, gained grandchildren (who they affectionately dub the “bubblers”) and been on 51 holidays together, including several overseas jaunts.The Babblers will walk in the City2Surf 25 years after they first took part in the fun run. Audrey RichardsonWhile they dabble in a wide variety of activities – swimming, cycling, book club and wine nights – the laughter and companionship has remained a constant.Sharpe leaned on the group heavily after the death of her husband 14 years ago.“The Babblers have actually saved my life,” she said.The Babblers boast some serious athletic credentials, having first met as hockey players and winning the NSW veterans hockey state championships.The Babblers’ original City2Surf run was in 2001. But they plan to tackle Sunday’s 14-kilometre course at a leisurely stroll. They will be among a field of more than 90,000 people expected to take part in the race, which winds from the Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach.“Some people get lonelier as they get older … you can’t beat that having a connection of friends,” member Jenny Seymour said. “We call it our babbler family.”Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.More:City to SurfSydneyNew South WalesBallinaFor subscribersFrom our partners