THE Warrnambool Gift will have a new home, distance and surface in 2015.
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The track competition is moving to Brauerander Park – two years after it was revived at Jetty Flat and 12 months after it was run at Friendly Societies’ Park.
The main event on the November 28 program – the gift sprint – will be shortened from 120 metres to 100m.
All races will be run on a synthetic track instead of grass, which is the popular choice for most professional foot races.
Warrnambool Gift organiser Kate Williamson said she was excited to take the event to Brauerander Park.
“This will be the fourth VAL carnival that is on a tartan track rather than grass,” she said.
“In terms of preparation, it’s so much easier because so many things that we need are on the track or part of this facility already.
“There are lovely club rooms and balconies to watch it, so even if it’s cold we can be inside.
“There are plenty of great spaces for the athletes as well.”
Williamson was grateful Friendly Societies’ Park – home of South Warrnambool Football Club – hosted the event in 2014.
But she said Brauerander gave the competition security.
“Last year we had it at the Friendlies and it was touch and go because it was so roughed up from football,” she said.
“We weren’t sure if was going to be ready.
In terms of preparation, it’s so much easier because so many things that we need are on the track
- Kate Williamson
“We put sand on it and the city council did their absolute best, they were amazing about it.”
Williamson expects the shorter gift sprint to attract strong numbers as it won’t affect runners’ handicaps.
Warrnambool Gift will include a similar program to 2014, with the footballers’ and netballers’ sprint the only omission.
Williamson said the Jayne McMeel Vase, named after the late Warrnambool runner, would again be among the most prestigious ribbons on offer.
McMeel passed away in July 2014 after a long battle with cancer.
“There was so much that Jayne helped with for the gift leading up to it, the fact that she wasn’t here was really hard last year,” Williamson said.
“Even though it was a feature event and we were pleased to have it, it was really hard to get through it last year.
“I am hoping this year it can be more of a celebration of Jayne.”
Williamson said the 3200m event was another popular pick on the schedule. Three-time Surf ‘T’ Surf winner Brenton Rowe won the distance race 12 months ago.
“He ran the 3200m off scratch and he won it,” she said.
“Watching him run them down... you’re trying to calculate ‘is he going to get there?’. It was a blast to have him and we’re hoping to have him back.”