Sport
2 December, 2021
Excitement high as Terang Gift returns
THE Terang Athletic Club’s excitement cannot be contained as the countdown to its 2021 Terang Gift meeting draws to a close.
THE Terang Athletic Club’s excitement cannot be contained as the countdown to its 2021 Terang Gift meeting draws to a close.
The iconic athletic event will make its return to Terang’s Ridley Recreation Reserve this Sunday after it was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID.
President Ken Plummer said committee members and volunteers had been working hard putting the finishing touches on preparations for the event and were now looking forward to a bumper day of racing.
“We’re raring to go for the event,” he said.
“We’ve got all bases ticked and we’ve got very generous sponsors even though we have been through COVID over the last 18 months.
“The fields seem red hot. We’ve got past Stawell Gift winners in Ed Ware coming along, we’ve also got a national champion in Jack Bolton coming along too.
“Our two main gifts both have increased numbers on 2019 when we last ran so we’re pretty chuffed about that.”
Plummer said the committee was hoping to see a jam-packed.day of racing which would test athletes over both short and long distances.
“During the day, which stretches out to about four o’clock, there will be a mixture of heats and then finals,” he said.
“The two main gifts, the Jill McKenzie women’s gift has heats, semi-finals and a final as does the Roy Northeast Open gift.
“Spectators will see a mixture of sprinting including some of the best sprinters in Victoria (in action) combined with longer distances races like the 800s and 1600s.
“The 1600 metres named after Laurie Heffernan is always a highlight towards the end of the day as well.”
Plummer thanked the sponsors of the event, adding their support was crucial in ensuring the club’s feature event was staged this year.
A number of those sponsors have been with the club since its gift meeting was established, which is nearing its 20th year.
“It was amazing (to have their support), because we were hesitant (of going ahead initially),” Plummer said.
“That was one of the reasons we cancelled last year because of the impact it was having on the economy on our sponsors.
“This year they’ve bounced back and are quite supportive and we’re appreciative of that.”
Sunday’s event will kick off at 11am at the Terang’s Ridley Recreation Reserve and is free of charge for all spectators.
Schedule:
11am – heats open 800 metres
11.12am – heats open 70 metres
11.50am – final open 70 metres
11.58am – heats under 18 120 metres
12.14pm – heats masters 120 metres
12.29pm – heats under 14 120 metres
12.35pm – final 800 metres
12.45pm – final under 18 120 metres
12.55pm – final masters 120 metres
1.12pm – heats women gift 120 metres
1.30pm – heats open gift 120 metres
2pm – semi finals women’s gift 120 metres
2.10pm – semi-finals open gift 120 metres
2.20pm – heats women/masters 300 metres
2.50pm – heats open 400 metres
3.02pm – heats restricted 400 metres
3.16pm – final women’s gift 120 metres
3.26pm – final open gift 120 metres
3.36pm – final open 1600 metres
3.50pm – final women/masters 300 metres
4pm – final open 400 metres
4.10pm – final restricted 400 metres.