Some of the best runners in Australia descended on Keilor on Saturday for the return of the Keilor Gift.
After last year’s event was postponed because of track redevelopments, the event was back bigger than ever with the night session attracting a big crowd.
Picture gallery: Keilor Gift 2015
Organiser Matthew Webster said it was great to be back after the year off. “It went fantastically,” he said.
“The sponsors were aware we weren’t going to go for 12 months but were happy to stay with us.
“The community was behind us, the politicians and the council were behind us and the crowd was fantastic.
“Once the cricket had finished and the sun had gone down, the teams came back and the families came down because they knew the late part of the program was going to be final after final. Then we had the fireworks. It was a really great community event and family day.”
While Luke Stevens took out the 120- metre main race, there were plenty of other impressive results.
Sunshine’s Megan McMahon won the 120-metre Billie Jo Petersen Memorial event off a mark of 18 metres in a time of 14.24 seconds, edging out Kelly McDonnell in 14.27.
Vic Sharma took out the 70-metre open event, Neale Gunning won the 400-metre open, Ian Cayzer claimed the 800-metre open and Gordon Muir the 1600-metre backmarkers’ event.
As well as its running events, the Keilor Gift is well known for its wood-chopping competition.
“We stop the athletics for the two main championship events,” Webster said.
“That’s something everyone really enjoys.”
