The George Nelson Shepparton Gift made a triumphant return at the weekend after a 23-year interlude, with the first races in more than two decades run and won.
Jack Lacey and Halle Martin crossed the line first in the men’s and women’s 120m Gift finals on Saturday, writing their name into the history books as the races first winners since the year 2000.
Lacey saved his best performance for the final, turning in his fastest time of the day of 12.49 seconds to take victory.
Likewise, Martin’s best run came in the race that mattered most, with her time of 13.907 the quickest in the women’s final.
Prizemoney of $15,000 was up for grabs on the day, with runners from across Victoria and interstate travelling to take part.
For Lacey, it had been a long time between victory drinks with Saturday’s win his first in seven years.
“It feels good. It has been a while for me, I haven’t won something since 2016, so it has been a long time coming,” Lacey said.
“It has been a long journey. I gave up a little bit and then COVID came, so I thought ‘get off your a**e and go run again’. I have and I’ve found my stride again, which is great.”
Lacey finished ahead of his training partner Dion Paull in second and Patrick Martin ― cousin of women’s winner Halle ― in third.
“The final felt really good,” Lacey said.
“Dion Paull pushed me early, which helped me a lot. It was good to run with him again and he pushed me right on through. Without him, I don’t think I would have gotten where I was.”
In the women’s final, Martin finished 0.44 seconds ahead of Akshaya Iyer in second and 0.56 seconds ahead of third-placed Zoe Neale.
For 19-year-old Martin, the race win ― the first Gift victory in her career ― had her over the moon.
“It is so exciting. I didn’t expect it at all, but I am so happy to come away with the win,” Martin said.
“It felt awesome. Akshaya was coming at me and I thought ‘I better fight back’. It definitely wasn’t an easy run, but I was very proud of myself. The final was definitely my best run.
“It is awesome to get that first win, especially at the Shepparton Gift, coming back after 20 years.”
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Beaming: Halle Martin smiles after winning the 120m women’s Gift. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 14
Get set: Runners prepare for the 120m women’s gift final. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 14
On the podium: Josh Sait finished third in the 1600m open final race. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 14
On the run: Amanda Heard during the 1600m open final race. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 14
Delighted: Zoe Neale (3rd), Halle Martin (1st) and Akshaya Iyer (2nd) with Robynne Nelson on the podium after the women’s 120m final. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 14
Top three: Patrick Martin, Jack Lacey and Dion Paull on the podium after the men’s 120m final. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 14
Out of the blocks: Endale Mekonnen gets off to a fast start in the 400m open heat 4. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 14
On your marks: Mitchell Palmer waits for the starting gun to sound in the 400m open race. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 14
On the go: Jack Wharf during the 400m open heat 3 race Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 14
On the track: Brendan Norton during the 1600m open final race. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 14
Champion: Ashley Cowan won the 1600m open final with a time of 4 minutes 28 seconds. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 14
Running along: Cole Gray in the 400m mens heat 3 race. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 14
Gassed: It was a hot day at the Shepparton Gift with the temparutre reaching 38C during the Shepparton Gift on Saturday. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 14
Second spot: Akshaya Iyer was the runner-up in the 120m women’s final. Photo by Megan FisherMartin, Lacey and all the other runners had to battle sweltering conditions on Saturday, with the mercury hitting 38°C.
“It was tough,” Lacey said.
“I went to the cool room and laid down after the semi for about an hour and put ice all over me, so I reckon that helped heaps.
“The heat died down for the final which worked out for me.”
Lacey thanked his partner, Meg, and coach, Nick Fielder, for their support as his focus now turns to the Stawell Gift.
“Meg and I have been together for five years and she has pushed me to get back into athletics and training,” he said.
“Nick Fielder, my coach, he is an amazing bloke. Without him pushing me I wouldn’t be here.
“We’ll go to Stawell and see what happens. If I run like that I will definitely be competitive, so we will give it a crack and see what happens.”
For Martin, success at the Stawell Gift runs in the family.
Her sister, Talia, won the famous race seven years ago with Martin hoping to follow in her footsteps.
“Talia won the 2016 Stawell Gift, so I’m trying to live up to her,” Martin said.
“I’ll try to do my best there and hopefully make the semis for the women’s Gift.”
Martin thanked her training partners the Pod Squad, her coaches and family after the race.
“I train with the Pod Squad five times a week. They are a big part of everything and I definitely wouldn’t be in the sport if it wasn’t for them,” she said.
“Peter O’Dwyer, Tony Martin, Scott Shillito and my dad Daniel Martin, they are all so motivating and get me through every training session.”
The Shepparton Gift is named after legendary runner George Nelson, who earned dozens of wins and placings during his career in middle distance and sprint events.
A Yorta Yorta man from Cummeragunja, Nelson became a coach after finishing up running himself, helping train Shepparton’s Noel Hussey to victory in the 1964 Stawell Gift.
Nelson is the only Indigenous trainer of a Stawell Gift winner in the event’s history.
Nelson died in January this year.