Warrnambool Gift president Richard Wearmouth said the organising committee, who run the event in conjunction with Victorian Athletics League, was disappointed but had found positives.

Wearmouth said the inclement weather was disappointing on the back of strong competition.

"We're very, very disappointed with the way the weather went," he said.

"It had been forecast but sometimes it can go through you. We got the 70-metre out, the 800-metre and a couple of under 14 races out.

"We got some out and the heats of the gift. It was really disappointing for the athletes as much as it is for us."

Wearmouth said crowds were "terrific".

"It just bodes well for the sport down here," he said.

"Everything was so good except for the weather. It's usually the speedway that gets knocked about but they were able to go all night.

"The lightning was the only concern for us, that finished us. We would've been right otherwise.

"The runners don't mind running in the rain and wind and that and that does happen a fair bit."

He said the Victorian Athletics League would move on to Geelong in time for next Saturday.

Wearmouth said south-west athletes were among the action in both early heats and finals and would take form forward.

"Warrnambool had a terrific day. There were juniors and seniors right in amongst it," he said.

"They won some heats early on which was really disappointing for them too.

"But anyway, we'll front up next week again at Geelong and go again."

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