It's a tough program that starts well before the first game of the season and continues - all things going well - until September's grand final.

For any athlete, staying motivated through training can be challenging - just as it is for thousands of entrants in The Sun-Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpc. So how does Jetta stay focused for such a long campaigns?

He says the key is to enjoy yourself, train competitively with mates and, above all, find some inspiration.

"For me, it's my kids and my partner, just making them proud and running as hard as I can for them," Jetta says.

He recommends amateur runners train sensibly and moderately in the lead-up to the City2Surf, pushing yourself longer and harder with each passing week.

"You’ll start to feel the pain barriers. And once you break that down, you’re pretty sweet. You get used to it, your body gets used to it," he says.

Jetta says he's a short-distance runner but is working on his long-distance performance. He recommends people play to their strengths during training, but challenge themselves every now and again to go beyond their comfort zone.

Ellyse Perry, who has represented Australia in both cricket and football, says runners need to eat healthily and plan meals around their training. Some people can eat shortly before exercise, while others need to fast.

"That’s a personal thing and you just make the choice around what suits you best," she says. It's important to replenish energy stores within a few hours of training with a substantial meal or a protein shake.

Perry cautions against going too hard in the final week before the race due to the risk of injuries. There are key warning signs - such as waking up sick or being especially tired at the end of the day - that indicate you might be pushing yourself too far. She also suggests including more variety in your training regimen if your motivation starts to wane.

"Training, particularly running, is quite a monotonous thing to do. You’re always looking for different stimulous … to keep things fresh and maintain your level of motivation."

Both athletes emphasised the importance of training with a friend or partner for moral support.

"Find someone that’s more competitive than you, and that drives you a little harder," Jetta says. "I always team up with one of my teammates and we always race. He gets the best out of me."

As the big day approaches, it's vital to say physically hydrated and mentally relaxed. Jetta recommends two litres of water a day mixed with Gatorade, and at least eight hours sleep.

"If you wanna go hard, go hard, and have a real good crack," he says. "As long as you get the best out of yourself at the end."

Phone a friend: Whether it's a buddy, colleague, teammate or distant cousin, training together will yield results.

Buy decent shoes: A good pair of runners will make you keen to get out and use them.

Change it up: Vary your training routines so you don't get bored, and try out different running routes.

Enjoy it: If you're doing it but hating it, what's the point?