Ipswich and District Athletic Club competitors preparing for this weekend’s Winter Carnival are (front row) Grace and Lily Hanley, Athieng Dau; with Liz Melrose, Jo Molloy, Jess Bakes, Charlize Goody, Ethan Platen, Aaron Hanley and Patrick McCarthey.
LONG-serving Ipswich and District Athletic Club president and coach Vic Pascoe is confident the Paris Olympics will inspire competitors contesting the annual Ipswich Winter Carnival on Sunday.
“It certainly has,” Pascoe said, having enjoyed watching the Olympics, especially with latest club member Joseph Deng running in the 800m heats and repecharge.
Deng, 26, joined the Ipswich club to meet Queensland Athletics requirements before heading to Paris.
The Kenyan-born refugee previously received an Ipswich Grammar School scholarship after starting his Queensland athletics career in Toowoomba.
Pascoe was delighted to see Deng gaining valuable Olympic experience, having chosen Ipswich as his local club.
Another former Ipswich club athlete Calab Law was also selected for the Paris Olympics.
With a sore hamstring, the Indigenous sprinter withdrew from the 200m making his Olympic debut. However, he backed up in the 4x100m relay, helping his Aussie teammates set a new national record in the event.
The 41st Ipswich Winter Carnival at Bill Paterson Oval continues a fine tradition for the Ipswich club, providing early competition for the new season starting in October.
Athletes will focus on state and national school events after warming up at the carnival. Their performances will set the tone for training and major club competitions in the new year.
This weekend, athletes are in line for a share of prizemoney in the Gift races. That includes the major event of the day – the 33rd running of the Ipswich Lighting Gift with $2500 on offer.
Club officials have also introduced a One Mile Gift for the first time, where competitors will run four laps of the Bill Paterson Oval track from staggered starts under the handicap rules.
Gift races with prizemoney are also being staged for under-18 boys and girls and Ladies.
With nearly 200 athletes in the club and a large contingent of those achieving personal bests earlier this year, Pascoe expects to see strong local representation in Sunday’s competitions.
Among the Ipswich representatives are club captain Charlize Goody (field events), Liz Melrose (120m Ladies and 300m gifts races), Ethan Platen (120m Lightning Gift and 300m Gift) and Patrick McCarthey (Lightning Gift).
Grace and Lily Hanley will join Athieng Dau in the U18 Girls 120m Gift.
Aaron Hanley, Jo Molloy and Jess Bakes are lining up in masters field events.
Registrations for the track and field events close midday today [Wednesday] at: www.qldathletics.org.au
