Olympic long-distance runner Craig Mottram has won the City to Surf race from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach.

Mottram crossed the finish line in 41 minutes and 56 seconds, in his first attempt at the 14km charity run.

The 34-year-old bronze medal winner in the 2005 Helsinki World Championships said the famous fun run wasn’t easy.

“It was a tough course. I underestimated a bit,” he told the Seven Network on Sunday.

“I came up the hill and pushed in and got a gap. I regretted the 11k. I just made it.”

He said it was great to win the race for his wife and young son, and they were off on holidays to relax for a week and reassess his running career.

South Australia’s Casey Wood was the first female to finish in 47 minutes and 59 seconds.

“Heartbreak Hill absolutely killed but I could hang in there, so that was alright,” she said.

About 85,000 runners competed in this year’s race, which has raised more than $4 million for charity.