A Hillside teacher is making his mark in the Victorian Athletics League.
Robert Spencer, 27, who teaches physical education at Parkwood Green Primary School, took out the 120-metre Gift Winners Gift at last month’s Stawell Gift meeting.
The Gift Winners Gift is an invitational race, with winners of the league’s top eight gift races competing for a $5000 first prize.
Spencer qualified by winning the Bendigo Thousand in March. He narrowly missed out on making the final of the Stawell Gift, placing second in the semi-final.
Spencer started running in primary school and developed a talent in sprint races.
“In my first year, I could barely make the top 10 in my club. Second year, I came second in the state. In my third year, I won nationals.”
Spencer took a few years off in his early 20s to study and travel before returning to the track about three years ago.
He trains up to three hours a day, seven days a week, incorporating sprint and weight training, pool running, pilates and running sand dunes.
