THE 15th edition of the Roy Northeast Gift is expected to be another thrilling race, according to Terang Athletics Club president Ken Plummer.
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The gift, which is named after the first and only Terang runner to win the event, will see a number of top athletes from across Victoria and South Australia battle for glory.
Plummer highlighted five speedsters who are capable of taking out the prestigious event, which is celebrating the 90th anniversary of Northeast's victory, at Terang Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
He picked South Australian Harrison Hunt, a former Bay Sheffield gift winner, as a front runner to take out the win in the 120-metre event.
Former Stawell Gift winner Isaac Dunmall is returning with hopes of claiming his second Terang Gift victory.
Teammates Matt Burleigh and Jason Bailey as well as outmarker Ryan Camille are chances to snatch a win.
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"They are ones that will stand out but there will also be other runners who show up and perform well and perform at their best," Plummer said of the 48-runner field.
"We are looking forward to it as it is the central attraction on the day and we have had some mighty races over the years and we expect no different this year."
Joel Bee is the event's backmarker starting the heats from 0.5 metres with Hunt (2.5 metres), Nathan Riali (three metres), Matt Carter (3.5 metres) and Dunmall (four metres) the closest chances ahead of him.
Former DPS (Duynhoven Perry Sprinting) Warrnambool member Jai Perry, who now trains with Shane Ezard in Torquay, will be taking on the big guns with an eight-metre handicap in the men's gift.
Roy's grandchildren in Luke Northeast and Rachael Burns will be on hand to present the sash to the winning athlete.
TAC secretary Jill McKenzie said the occasion was special for the family and the club.
"The enthusiasm Rachael and Luke have shown towards their grandfather's legacy has made this a very special time for the club," she said.
"We are so looking forward to share Sunday with them and some of Roy's great-grandchildren."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
