AN ELATED Cara Boustead was all smiles after taking out the inaugural Terang women’s gift on Sunday.
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After just missing out on finals in the 70-metre event at Warrnambool on Saturday, the 26 year-old was in top form at Terang, winning the 120-metre women’s gift from Warrnambool Gift winner Michelle Cockerell and Samantha Hargreaves.
Boustead, who hails from Essendon, said things fell into place for her in the final, which she ran in 14.13 seconds.
“At the start I just thought I’ve got to get out strong if I had a chance and just luckily in the last 50 metres it all came together,” she said.
Sunday marked Boustead’s first trip to Terang, but the former North Queenslander has already made her mark on the running scene in the southern states, taking out the women’s gifts at Meadowglen win 2013 and Tasmania’s Burnie in 2014.
She also made it to the semi-finals at Stawell Gift in 2013 and 2015.
Glenhuntly Athletics Club member Tim Rosen won the 120-metre Terang men’s gift, edging out Rhys Parkinson and Edward Ware.
With handheld times being used, he finished in 12.25 seconds.
The 27 year-old said he missed the Warrnambool Gift the day before due to amateur running commitments with state relays and started the heats at Terang below his best, but he soon hit his stride.
“I was a bit sore in the heats and struggled a little bit in the heat, but I did better in the semi-finals,” he said.
“The final wasn’t a perfect run – I think the semi-final was better than the final – but I just did enough to hold on and win.”
Rosen said he was excited by the win at Terang, which followed what he described as his “biggest off-season ever”.
“I just decided I’m at an age where if I’m going to have a genuine crack at it, I might as well do it now; mid-twenties is the time, not when I’m in my forties,” he said.
Rosen thanked his coaches Max Binnington, Damian O’Shea and Gary Minihan for their support in helping him take his running to the next level.
Chris Bramham won the 400-metre open at Terang, backing up his efforts from the 550-metre race at Warrnambool on Saturday.
Scott Rowsell won the 70-metre open, Kieren Blizzard the Under 20 120-metre final, Robert Adin the 120-metre masters, Zoe Nicholson the 300-metre women’s/masters final, Cameron Clayton the 800-metre final and Shane Thiele the 1600-metre event.
I just thought I've got to get out strong if I had a chance and just luckily in the last 50 metres it all came together.
- Cara Boustead