General News
23 November, 2022
Gift set to return
THE Terang Athletic Club is excited to be conducting its Gift meeting on Sunday, December 4 at the Terang Recreation Reserve.
THE Terang Athletic Club is excited to be conducting its Gift meeting on Sunday, December 4 at the Terang Recreation Reserve.
Terang Athletic Club president Ken Plummer said the gift was a “terrific event on the Terang and Victorian Athletic League calendar”.
“Many top quality competitors are making the trip to the south west with the Warrnambool and Terang gifts running on consecutive days for the 10th year,” Plummer said.
“Early indications were that the 2022 Terang Gift would see a higher number of entrants this year (entries closed last Saturday) alongside increased crowd numbers.
“Our community and businesses have been amazing in sponsoring all of the events at the gift, making the day a success for everyone.
“Our major sponsor this year is Acciona.”
Two of the highlights of the carnival will be the men’s and women’s gifts, which the committee has allocated equal prize money.
Mr Plummer thanked Acciona and the Terang Op Shop for the “sponsorship of these prestigious races”.
“We also run sprints and distance events up to 1600m for men, women and masters over 35 years of age,” Plummer said.
“Some quite exciting news is that this year the committee has decided to add a women’s 400 metres to the program, which we expect will entice many female runners to our town for the day.
“It was terrific to see the number of female runners increasing over past years and initiatives like this encourage the female athletes to compete and gain a handicap for Stawell at Easter.”
This year a race will be dedicated to Mr Plummer himself, in dedication of the leadership he has shown throughout his milestone 20 years as club president.
As leader of the Terang club, he has seen the development of the gift program to the elite state that athletes and the town enjoys today.
Mr Plummer said he was lost for words when the accolade was announced.
He thanked “the wonderful committee and town of Terang for all of their support over the 20 years”.
“I certainly didn’t see this coming as I love athletics and this terrific group of volunteers that create such an iconic gift meeting for our community,” Plummer said.
“It fills me with pride to be acknowledged in this way.”
The Terang Gift consists of 11 championship events on the day, at the picturesque Terang Recreation Reserve.
Entry is free and COVID protocols will be observed.
Last year, South Australian coach Paul Young praised the event and vowed to return.
“On behalf of the South Australian athletes and coaches, thanks very much to the Terang Athletic Club for a fantastic carnival,” Young said in 2021.
“The program, prizes, catering and facilities were terrific and the quality of running was fantastic with several South Australian athletes making finals and having a very enjoyable day.
“We will see you at the 2022 Terang Gift.”
Many athletes and their supporters return year after year to Terang to enjoy the carnival and catch up with old friends.
“The gift is a truly friendly day of racing that provides everyone with real country hospitality combined with a gorgeous track and setting where many personal bests are achieved,” Mr Plummer said.
The Victorian Athletic League sanctioned gift has been organised by the Terang Athletic Club for 15 consecutive years and in 2017 was awarded the Meeting of the Year.
Being one of the first events on the calendar - due to most runners gearing up to compete at Stawell (at Easter) - sees a mixture of those who compete all year and those athletes wishing to build their performance early.
