Holding fast … Billie Arch and Sione Tui will compete in a Brimbank Little Athletics Club feature race at the St Albans Gift this Saturday. 59145 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Michael Esposito
SOME of Victoria’s most notable runners will contest the St Albans Gift on Saturday.
Among the entrants vying for the prestigious running prize are 2008 Stawell Gift winner Sam Jamieson of Williamstown, Werribee’s 2010 Woodside Gift winner Matthew Hargreaves, Albury’s 2008 New Zealand Gift winner Daniel Steinhauser and Burnie Gift winner Ollie Wurm.
The meet’s 10 events have attracted about 550 entries, with the first heats, for the 800-metre, starting at 4.30pm. The feature race – the 120m Gift – will take place at 10.20pm.
Events range in distance from 70m to 1600m with $9500 in prize-money up for grabs. Apart from the Gift, other highlights will be the 400m open handicap and 1600m open handicap.
Organiser Des Barnard said the event, to be held at Kings Park Reserve, will have a festival-like atmosphere and will be an ideal family event.
“We’ve never had much over the years and we’re finally getting something for ourselves. Now that we’ve got this up and running the council is looking at helping us to make it become a big festival-type weekend. Everyone’s starting to get involved,” he said.
Brimbank Little Athletics Club will hold its own 120m and 400m handicap races as lead-ins to some of the open events.
Some of the state’s future stars will be on show with Victoria’s Fastest Kid under-12 boys winner Sionie Tui and 2010 State Multi Event under-12 girls champion Billie Arch both running.
Tui ran the Victoria’s Fastest Kid final with a time of 13.72 while Billie Arch, still injured after spiking herself in the Multi Event, came second in her final.
The festivities will continue on Sunday with a Twenty20 cricket game between Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm.
The curtain-raiser to that game will be an exhibition match between St Albans football and cricket clubs. Tim Jenkins, who won the 2010 WRFL player of the year and recently scored a double century for his First XI cricket side, will have to decide which team top represent.
Bulldogs and Storm players will be available to meet fans and sign autographs.
Entry to both days is free.
