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.