Devonport Carnival - Day 2 (but really Day 1)

Don't let the sunshine and blue sky fool you. What you can't see in the photos is the wind. I truly think that Devonport and Burnie are the windiest places in Australia. Both runners and bike riders struggled when they headed into the wind. Some of the poor Little Athletes were blown backwards as the struggled down the straight. Lach and Cal competed in the 400m and competed well. Neither made it through to the final which was won by Tasmanian Jacob Despard. They both also ran in the 70m and both made it to the semis but again failed to progress to the final. It was a good fun day as always. Just a pity that the shortened program didn't allow enough time for the 200m and the Two Fat Men on Bikes race. (Always a favourite of mine!) 

Devonport Carnival - Day 1

After beginning the bike program and getting through a couple of junior running events the day has been declared a wash out. It has rained fairly consistently making it far too dangerous for the bike riders. Apparently the radar also suggests that there is more bad weather on the way. In fact there are storm warnings all over the island with Hobart expecting a battering. So much so they have actually closed down The Taste of Tasmania and the wharf area around Constitution Dock. So the two day program becomes one - tomorrow. Lach is very disappointed because they have cancelled his favourite event in the 200m.  

Easter Monday - Finals Day

Lach ran well in the 200m held very late in the day yesterday. Under the lights he ran on well to finish third in his heat. He did not progress to the semis so Monday will be spent relaxing by the track watching all the action. 

No.1 Grandstand - Stawell

The site for the grandstand was decided in December 1898 after the first Easter Gift held here. The contractor took less than three months to build the grandstand at a cost of £593. It was ready for the 1898 Easter Sports. 

The stand was restored in 1990/1991 at a cost of $80,000. With access to the original building plans, the stand is now as near as practicable to the original. 

Memorial Gates - Stawell

The magnificent Memorial Gates at Central Park, Stawell were designed and built at the local foundry of George Kay & Co. and were erected in 1903 "to commemorate the patriotism of those who from this town and district served in the Boer war 1899-1902." Out of 40 entries to an Australia wide design competition the local entry was judged the most appropriate. The gates cost £170 and were paid for by local effort. 

Stawell - Day 1

Lach competed in the gift in Heat 14 however he couldn't match the pace of some of the true sprinters. 

Cal was next on the track in the 400m Frontmarkers. He started very well and took the lead early, however Travis Pike, was able to pass him in the home straight to win. This meant a tense wait to see if Cal would make it through as one of three fastest qualifiers. Unfortunately he just missed out. 

Lach ran in Heat 1 of the 400m Backmarkers. He raced well but finished towards the back of the field and will not progress to the final. 

In other results Anna won her heat of the veterans 100m so will run in the final on Monday. She also finished second in her heat of the women's gift and should make it through to the semis. 

Kevin Brittain and Dav Tinney both won their heats of the gift and will run in the semis on Monday.

Images of Stawell

A particular Aussie tradition - claiming and naming your own stand. Just fantastic!

Central Park looks spectacular in the sun. 

Sunny Stawell

Even if a little cooler than usual Stawell is fine and sunny and Central Park immaculate. The rain stopped just east of Beaufort which made the latter part of the drive much more pleasant. After unpacking we headed to Central Park to set up our campsite, which will be our trackside home for the next three days. 

All (very wet) roads lead to Stawell

All roads lead to Stawell

Packed and ready to go. 

Burramine Gift

A great day of racing. Lach ran in the semi of the gift and well in his heat of the 400m. Cal finished second in his heat of the 400m and progressed to the final where he ran on very well to finish second. He was very pleased with his pay day of $150. 

Madison Results

The much fancied O'Shea and Edmonson could not hold off a very fresh Crome (Bendigo boy) and Pieters (Dutch champion) who were riding for the local Giant bike supplier. O'Shea and Edmonson lead until the last 30 laps when the Giant team peddled exceptionally hard to get a lap up. In the end last year's winners pipped O'Shea and Edmonson on the post to take second.

Bendigo - Day 2

Beautiful day in Bendigo. Cal ran a sensational semi but they were just a bit quick for him in the end. The Opal was won by Cameron Moss. Now relaxing watching the Madison on a very balmy still evening. Glen O'Shea and Alex Edmonson are the favourites and so far are performing well. 

Bendigo Black Opal

Filling in time while we wait for Cal's semi this afternoon. Both boys ran well but only Cal was able to advance to the semi finals. Weather is absolutely stunning. Stephen and I are enjoying sitting by Lake Weeroona watching the people and the wildlife.

Wangaratta Gift

Wang is always a great gift. The competition really starts to heat up over this weekend with lots of interstate runners making the trip. We always see a few amos for the first time. 

Both our boys performed well. Lach just missing out on a spot in the gift semis and Cal winning his heat and performing well in the final of the 400m. On to Albury tomorrow - Australia Day. 

The Norm Minns oval at the Wangaratta Showgrounds is as perfect as ever. 

Rye Gift 2014

Cal ran well in his heat of the 70m finishing third. Lach started well in his heat of the 120m but wasn't able to finish on strongly as his hamstring tightened slightly when he tried to hit full pace. No damage done so all good. Both boys competed well in the 400m. Cal won his heat convincingly and Lach finished well to run into second place although his time wasn't fast enough to get him a run in the final. Cal ran well in the final but didn't figure in the places. Overall it was a very successful day. Weather was perfect for competition. Onto St. Albans next weekend and Wang and Albury over the long weekend.

Calvin Gook - The BIG Victorian

This is what the commentator of the athletics in Tassie always calls Cal. And we heard it a lot today as Cal's performance in the 400m was sensational. He blitzed the field to win his heat comfortably in a personal best time of 47.71. He started exceptionally well in the final and it took a terrific run by Tasmanian Jared Gilroy to snatch the win from Cal right on the line. Cal wasn't disappointed as he ran very well in another great time and it took a super performance from Gilroy to beat him. Cal was pleased with his paycheck for the day and is now really looking forward to the next time he competes.

Burnie update

Both Lach and Cal ran well in the open 90m. They both finished second in their heat. Lach competed well in his heat of the gift finishing on well to grab third and a spot in the semis. The gift semis were run in atrocious conditions. Times were very fast - the strong tail wind helping. Lach ran very well but didn't progress to the final. He was very happy with his run given his lack of preparation. We are now bunkered down waiting for Cal to run in the 400m.

Burnie - It just gets worse!

What a difference a day makes!

After walking along the boardwalk at 9.00pm in short sleaves last night, we woke to the sound of rain on the roof this morning.

Meetings were held and obviously runners are tougher than bike riders as it was decided the running would continue, if not a little late starting. 

So we are sitting in the stand trying to keep warm and dry. 

Off to Burnie we go

We move onto Burnie today. Our tradition is to go to the Hellyer's Road Distillery for lunch. It did not disappoint. All three boys enjoyed a burger and I had the seafood pot pie. 

Burnie is an old town that grew around the paper mill and port. The mill was closed a number of years ago and is currently being dismantled. The port and foreshore have undergone numerous changes even in the six years we have been coming here. The boardwalk that stretches right along the esplanade and the new Makers Workshop are terrific additions. 

The view from our room is sensational. 

And the ground itself is one if the most picturesque the boys have ever competed at. (And might I add......coldest they have competed at EVER!!!) 

Just how many toasties can a person eat?

Between them I think Lach and Cal ate 16 toasted sandwiches over the two days at Devonport. Just love the way they spelt Lachlan's name.

Devonport - Day 2

Lach competed in the 200m but didn't progress to the final. Cal had a day off today in preparation for both the 90m and 400m at Burnie on New Year's Day.

The weather here today is overcast and cooler than yesterday however there is very little wind so it actually feels a little warmer than last night. 

Devonport - Day 1

Lach and Cal ran in both the 70m and 400m today. Cal led for most of the way in his heat of the 400 but couldn't hang on. Lach tailed off in his heat. His mark if 15m is very tight. They both ran well in the 70m with both progressing to the semi finals where the real sprinters came out to play meaning our boys didn't make it through to the final.

The first day of the carnival was entertaining as always, with lots to watch, including many national representative bike riders on the track. The weather was sunny but a bit cool and windy. The rugs certainly came in handy during the evening. 

The cricket was great. The Poms don't have much heart. 5-0 is looking a real possibility.

The funny thing is that every year they get Cal's name wrong. For many years he was Gavin Cook. True to form they got it wrong again this year. His athletes pass is made out to Clavin Gook. 

And what more could a girl want for dinner for her birthday. Ham and cheese toastie. Yum!!!

Update: the 400m gift was won for the second year in a row by Andrew Robinson. Andrew also won the Stawell Gift this year so to say he is running well is an understatement.