By Barry Irving
THE Rye Gift continues to go from strength to strength as crowds flock back to the family day after Covid.
This year we were blessed with cooler weather ideal for an athletic carnival. A couple of sprinkles of light rain, but there were no complaints from the runners.
Again, there were many compliments from the competitors and the Victorian Athletic League officials with regards to the preparation of the running surfaces. Thanks once again to the Mornington Peninsula Shire team of contractors who prepared an excellent surface.
The Junior Gift was conducted by the Little Athletics Southern Peninsula that was well attended by both junior competitors and supporting families.
Giant slide and face painting ensured that families were catered for. With the canteens and the hamburger stand serving drinks and food.
All six local junior and senior Rye Sports and social Clubs members competed in junior and senior community relays with the equipment related to their respective sports. urged on by the very vocal crowd.
More than 80 sponsors and supporters attended the annual sponsor’s luncheon cooked and served by the cricket club volunteers.
Senior Manger Fiona Somjee and staff represented the major sponsor from Community Bank Southern Peninsula, along with Antonella Celi representing the Shire.
Onto the gift where last years winners both men’s and women’s found the pace really hot with neither able to reach the finals in two very hot fields in which both had blanket finishes with placegetters separated by hundreds of seconds.
Results: 120 metre Mens Gift
1st Jake Ireland: H’cap 5.013m. Time 12,569
2nd Jerome Lugo: H’cap 9.00m. Time 12.576
3rd Chris Vi: H’cap 7.00m. Time 12.581
Results: 120 metre Womens Gift
1st Amber Van eede: H’cap 13.00m. Time 13.703
2nd Ruby Crisp: H’cap 16.25m. Time 13.725
3rd Amelia Spenceley: H’cap 11.00m. Time 13.923
If you did not come this year then make a note in your diary 2025 Rye Gift 2nd Saturday in January.
First published in the Mornington News – 16 January 2024
