Sport
4 December, 2024
Nobbs, Evans secure Gift victory
NOT even relentless rain could dampen spirits on the track at the 2024 Terang Gift over the weekend.
Athletes from across Australia descended on Terang on Sunday for a bumper day of racing at the Terang Recreation Reserve despite 22mm of rain falling throughout the day.
The conditions failed to scare off the record field of entrants, with Terang Athletic Club president Ken Plummer acknowledging athletes are raised tough.
“There’s been some absolutely fantastic racing with stunning performances,” he said.
“We had a lot of interstate competitors such as Johnny (Evans, 120 metre men’s open winner) and a few of the 300 metre winners were from New South Wales and Queensland.
“The rain bothered us a little in the morning but it started to clear by the afternoon and the race was red hot.
“We’re really excited about the numbers – we had a big increase of approximately 200 extra runners this year.”
Mr Plummer said the Terang Gift was growing more and more each year, with a notable increase in not only the athletes but sponsors willing to get on board.
“They’ve been fantastic for many years, and we’re also drawing in new sponsors such as Monk and Sons Ag Services and Midfield Meats.
“We can’t do it without them – that’s the bottom line.”
Mr Plummer said positive feedback from the athletes involved had been rewarding.
“We try and make it something special, not just to put on the gift but we also have the canteen send out food packages to all the officials,” he said.
“There’s fruit going out to athletes – the little things which we think makes this a special, country gift.
“It’s the warm hospitality we try to exude to not only officials, but our athletes and those in the local community.”
The 120 metre Terang Gift open women’s final saw a hotly contested contest come down to the wire, with Imogen Nobbs beating out Ruby Crisp and Jordan McMillion.
“It’s really surreal,” Nobbs said.
“I came second last year so it’s nice to convert that to the win.
“There’s an amazing group of girls running in this year’s Terang Gift so it’s good.”
Emotions flowed as Nobbs crossed the line, as the realisation sank in she had earned a milestone victory.
“This is my first gift win so it’s really special,” she said.
“I’m very, very grateful.”
Nobbs praised all involved with the 2024 Terang Gift for their dedicated efforts despite the onslaught of rain, with the event emerging as a favourite.
“It’s such an amazing event,” she said.
“The officials have done an incredible job in trying conditions.
“We love it, and we come every year.”
In the 120 metre open men’s final, John Evans snatched victory by just three-tenths of a second over Patrick Martin and Elijah Cross.
“It’s been a hectic season, a long season with lots of injuries,” he said.
“I’ve been coming to Terang for a long time, I love the meet, so I really wanted to get up for it.
“I’m happy I could put it together and the body held up.”
Evans said the 2024 Terang Gift had been amazing despite the difficult conditions.
“I love the Terang Gift and what the Victorian Athletic League does for it,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic event, and one of my favourite meets of the year.
“We always talk about it when we get back, saying how good Terang and Warrnambool both are.
“I’m over the moon.”
For the full list of winners visit the Victorian Athletic League website.
