Caffeine Bistro backs the Richest Masters Race in the World

The Seymour Club has once again thrown its full support behind local sport, proudly returning as naming rights sponsor of the 2025 Seymour Club Gift, set to be held at Kings Park on Saturday, December 13. Following the incredible success of last year’s revival, which saw more than 1,000 people through the gates and the event crowned Meeting of the Year by the Victorian Athletic League, the Seymour Running Club (SRC) is gearing up for an even bigger edition of the Gift this December. SRC President Blair Collins said the Seymour Club’s continued support as naming rights sponsor had been pivotal to the event’s success. “The Seymour Club’s backing has been absolutely vital from day one,” Mr Collins said. “Without their early and ongoing support, bringing the Gift back to Seymour simply wouldn’t have been possible. “Their investment gives us the financial certainty to keep growing the event and building something special for our town.” Mr Collins said preparations were well underway for the 2025 edition, with a full day of elite racing, community engagement, and family entertainment planned. “The Seymour Club Gift has quickly become one of the standout events on the VAL calendar,” he said. “We’re committed to making it bigger and better each year and we can’t wait to welcome athletes, locals and visitors alike back to Kings Park on December 13.” Seymour Club President Sandra O’Sullivan said the Club was thrilled to continue its partnership with the Seymour Running Club and to once again hold naming rights for the Gift. “The Seymour Club is incredibly proud to be associated with such a vibrant and successful community event,” Ms O’Sullivan said. “The Running Club has shown great drive and professionalism and their efforts have well and truly put Seymour on the map in the athletics world. “The Seymour Club Gift brings people together, it’s great for local sport, great for tourism and great for the community. “We’re very excited to see it all unfold again this December.”  With significant prize money on offer and athletes from across Victoria expected to compete, the 2025 Seymour Club Gift promises to be another spectacular day of athletics and community celebration at Kings Park.

Seymour Running Club memberships for the 2025-26 year are on sale, providing a great range of benefits while supporting Seymour’s most popular new sporting event. The Seymour Gift returned with a bang in 2024, bringing more than 1,000 people through the gates at Kings Park in a day full of excitement with local athletes Hayden Anderson, Cooper Lubeck and Ian Porter all picking up memorable wins. The success of the event was widely recognized, recently named Meeting of the Year at the Victorian Athletic League Awards Night. Purchasing a Seymour Running Club Membership entitles you to: Seymour Running Club cap (choice of traditional cap or runner's cap) Seymour Running Club membership card Free entry to the Seymour Gift Discounts on hospitality tickets for the Seymour Gift Listing in the 2025 Seymour Gift Race Program as a Member Listing on the Seymour Running Club website as a Member  Seymour Running Club President Blair Collins thanked Foundation Members for their support and urged everyone to get behind the Seymour Gift once again this year, which will be held at Kings Park on Saturday December 13. “In our first year we were blown away by the support, finishing up with 125 generous Foundation Members,” Mr Collins said. “The Seymour Gift was entirely funded by members and sponsors, so becoming a member is a great way to ensure the event continues to grow and is enjoyed by the whole community. “The support from the community set our Gift apart last year and we’d love to see even more members get behind the event. “Our committee is hard at work planning for the 2025 Gift on December 13. “It promises to be another great day and we can’t wait to welcome our members to Kings Park to enjoy all the action.” Memberships can be purchased online at https://www.seymourrunningclub.com.au/product/2025-26-seymour-running-club-membership

The Seymour Running Club’s Annual General Meeting has seen its full committee re-elected as preparations ramp up for the 2025 Seymour Gift, set to be held at Kings Park on December 13. All executive positions have remained consistent for the year ahead. Blair Collins, recently elected to the Victorian Athletic League (VAL) Board, returns as President, joined by Vice-President and star VAL athlete Cooper Lubeck, Mitch Itter as Secretary, and Peter Elliott as Treasurer. The committee is eager to put on another massive event for the region, fresh off the Seymour Gift being named Meeting of the Year by the VAL. President Blair Collins said the committee was looking forward to topping last year’s efforts. “Our first year together has been absolutely incredible, but we’re committed to making the Seymour Gift bigger and better every year,” he said. “The entire committee is active throughout the community, and everyone brings a unique skillset to the club. “To have everyone returned on the committee is a testament to the passion of our members and their vision for the Seymour Gift.” Outside of the committee, sponsors and members will continue to play a crucial role in the club’s success. “While our committee has been amazing, nothing is possible without the generous support of our sponsors and members,” Mr Collins said. “We’ve been blown away by the support shown by the local business community and look forward to strengthening these partnerships in the year ahead. “Last year we had over 120 Foundation Members, and we’ll be looking to top that again this year. “Memberships will go on sale shortly, with plenty of updates about the Seymour Gift to follow.” 2025-26 Seymour Running Club Committee Blair Collins (President) Cooper Lubeck (Vice-President) Mitch Itter (Secretary) Peter Elliott (Treasurer) Glenn Barry (Sponsorship Manager) Jacqui Anderson Shaun Bryans Dylan Cook Rob D’Orria Joel Durham Stephen Garner Kelvin Lubeck Patricia Sporle

WIN NEWS - Thursday June 26 2025

The incredible return of the Seymour Gift has been recognised by the Victorian Athletic League (VAL), with the Gift named Meeting of the Year at the recent VAL Awards Night. The award is even more noteworthy given the Seymour Running Club (SRC), hosts of the Seymour Gift, was only incorporated in March 2024, beating 20 other established Gifts across the state for the top honour. The Seymour Gift saw more than 1,000 people converge on Kings Park to enjoy an amazing day of track athletics, highlighted by wins from locally trained athletes Hayden Anderson, Cooper Lubeck and Ian Porter in chaotic scenes. Inaugural SRC President Blair Collins said the recognition was a reward for plenty of hard work behind closed doors. “When we incorporated in March last year, we had an ambitious plan to bring the Seymour Gift back, and we’ve been able to exceed our wildest expectations,” he said. “Our committee has been amazing, working tirelessly to involve the broader community in the event and deliver an outstanding spectacle. “The Seymour Gift looks set to be a must-attend event on the regional sporting calendar for many years to come. “Importantly, this wouldn’t have been possible without all our sponsors and foundation members who backed us in to deliver a great day for the community. “I’d like to thank the VAL for the award and for the great job they’re doing in promoting track athletics across Victoria.” The Seymour Gift is locked in for 2025, with the SRC eager not to rest on its laurels. “While we’re delighted with this award, our focus is now on delivering another exceptional Seymour Gift for the community on December 13,” Mr Collins said. “Memberships will be on sale in the coming weeks, and our committee is working hard to curate another great event.  “We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the hallowed turf of Kings Park in December.”

Inaugural President of the Seymour Running Club (SRC), Blair Collins, has been appointed to the Board of the Victorian Athletic League (VAL) following its recent Annual General Meeting. The VAL oversees a calendar of track athletics meets across the state, including the Seymour Gift, with the calendar culminating in an incredible weekend at Stawell every year. Collins is an experienced runner with seven marathons under his belt and made his debut in the VAL as a middle-distance runner in the most recent season. Outside of his extensive knowledge of track athletics and running, Collins brings significant professional experience to the Board, having previously held senior management positions with multinational companies. Day to day, Collins is currently the Regional Manager of WB Hunters. Collins said he was looking forward to working closely with everyone involved in the VAL to build on its strong growth over recent years. “It’s a great honour to be joining the VAL Board at a very exciting time for track athletics in Australia,” he said. “Over the past 12 months there’s been significant growth in every key metric for the VAL and there’s still plenty of room for growth. “I’m passionate about creating strong pathways for young athletes transitioning from Little Athletics to the VAL, ensuring they remain engaged and active through all stages of their sporting journey. “I’m eager to get to work with the VAL and watch the organisation and track athletics more broadly go from strength to strength.” In great news for the SRC, Mr Collins will continue as President with the Seymour Gift locked in for another edition. “The Seymour Gift made a spectacular return last year and it was the talk of the VAL for months,” Mr Collins said. “We’ve built a pretty special event and we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better edition this year. “We’re currently working through all the approval processes for the Gift and will be able to announce a date in the very near future.  “It promises to be a huge year for the Seymour Running Club and the VAL and I can’t wait for the VAL to kick off later this year.”

Leading Victorian Athletic League (VAL) middle-distance runner, Cooper Lubeck, is taking his talents to the Seymour Running Club (SRC) Executive after being appointed its new Vice-President. Lubeck fills the vacancy left by inaugural Vice-President Kiara Orchard who stepped down after the incredibly successful return of the Seymour Gift in December last year. SRC President, Blair Collins, congratulated Lubeck on his appointment. “Cooper is an integral part of our committee and we’re delighted to have him further his involvement at an Executive level,” he said. “He provides fantastic knowledge of the VAL as both an athlete and supporter which proved invaluable in bringing the Gift back to Seymour. “On behalf of our committee I’d like to thank Kiara for her outstanding service over the past 12 months. We can’t thank her enough for her time and organisation as our very first Vice-President.” Patricia Sporle will join the SRC Committee to fill the vacant position. “We’re thrilled to have Patty Sporle on our committee for the remainder of the year, having leaned on her throughout the Seymour Gift preparation and on event day,” Mr Collins said. “Patty brings an excellent skillset to the committee with a strong background in media and design.  “We’re looking forward to holding the Seymour Gift once again this year and will be announcing a confirmed date in the coming weeks.”

The first running of the Seymour Gift in more than two decades and the first Gift held at Kings Park in more than 50 years has proved a resounding success with athletes from across the state battling it out in a day of high-quality track athletics. Close to one thousand people entered Kings Park for the day, including athletes, coaches and Seymour Running Club members. The Kelfit stable, headed by Kelvin Lubeck, had a day out, picking up three wins, much to the delight of the vocal and partisan crowd. Hayden Anderson dominated his heat and cruised through his semi to book his place in the final of the Lubeck Plumbing 70m Open. In a thrilling finish, Anderson won the final by just 0.02 seconds. In the 550m Loan Gallery Open heat, star athlete Cooper Lubeck put in a dominant performance in the quickest of five heats to enter the final in strong form. In another grandstand finish, Lubeck came from behind with 10 metres left to claim a win that had the home crowd in raptures, who stormed the track to celebrate with the crowd favourite. His winning sash was presented by uncle Peter Elliott in an emotional moment for the family. The Richest Masters Race in the World, worth a total of $3500 and proudly sponsored by Australian Trenching & Excavations, capped off an incredible day of racing. In a finish that had to be seen to be believed, Kelfit athlete Ian Porter charged home and dived over the finish line to claim the win on the inside lane by just 0.087 seconds. Seymour Running Club President Blair Collins thanked all involved for making the day a success. “In March our Club was incorporated with the hope of bringing back the Seymour Gift but what has transpired since then has exceeded our wildest expectations,” Mr Collins said. “We are incredibly grateful for the support shown by all our heat, race program, silk and race sponsors and particularly our naming rights partner, the Seymour Club. “Kings Park was heaving with excitement all day and to have so many local wins made the day even more special. “The Seymour community turned up in droves and loved the quality of racing on display. “Our committee and a huge number of volunteers made the day a roaring success and we can’t wait to deliver the Seymour Gift again in 2025.” RACE FINAL WINNERS Nagambie Rowing Club 800m Masters – Dale Millard Caffeine Bistro U14s 120m – Sylvie Collie Lubeck Plumbing 70m Open – Hayden Anderson (Kelfit) LPR Toolmakers 120m U18s – Adrian Faraja Wilson Yulong 1600m Open – Tez Kavanagh-Dando Loan Gallery Finance 550m Open – Cooper Lubeck (Kelfit)  Microenterprise Launchpad 120m Womens Gift – Alex Tzilantonis DB Results 120m Mens Gift – Elijah Cross Enhance Physiotherapy and Health 400m Womens – Caitlyn Nicholson Turf Galore 400m Mens – Jared Glover Australian Trenching and Excavations 300m Masters – Ian Porter (Kelfit)

The 2024 Seymour Gift Race Program has officially been released. Download your digital copy at the link below.