Committee returns to deliver 2025 Seymour Gift

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.

The Seymour Gift is set to include a jam-packed day of racing with more than 600 entries across the program. The Gift, which forms part of the Victorian Athletic League season, will include 11 finals with more than $20,000 of prize money up for grabs on December 14. This money is on the line in juniors, men’s, women’s and masters events. Feature races on the day include the DB Results 120m Men’s Gift, Microenterprise Launchpad 120m Women’s Gift and the Australian Trenching and Excavations 300m Open Masters race, likely the richest masters race in the world. Earlier in the year the Seymour Running Club (SRC) set an ambitious goal of 500 athlete entries across the Seymour Gift Program, with SRC President Blair Collins delighted with the final result. “I’ve been to a few Gifts so far this year and there’s a real buzz around the Seymour Gift,” Mr Collins said. “Athletes are excited about the magnificent surface at Kings Park and can’t wait to run on one of the top grounds in regional Victoria. “To have more than 600 entries is a testament to the hard work our committee has been putting in behind the scenes and the support shown by our generous sponsors. “We’re eager to put on a great show and make the Seymour Gift an annual event that rivals the biggest Gifts on the Victorian Athletic League calendar.” While there will be plenty of action on the track, Mr Collins emphasised the great opportunities available to enjoy the day around Kings Park. “While the main show is undoubtedly the running, there’s something for everyone off the track,” Mr Collins said. “We’ve got two separate hospitality areas for people to enjoy the afternoon in, Little Athletics will be running the canteen, the Seymour Lions will have the bar open and we’ll have a BBQ operating on-site. “For those wanting to just rock up and see what all the fuss is about, general admission tickets are available at the gate.  “The Seymour Gift is shaping up to be a massive event for our community and I urge everyone to get on board and be a part of this historic day.”

The Seymour Gift will boast what is believed to be the Richest Masters Race in the World on December 14, with athletes over 35 set to battle it out for a total prize pool of $3,500 in the Australian Trenching and Excavations (AT&E) 300m race. While the Men’s and Women’s Gifts will feature total prize pools of $3,000 each, this is superseded by the AT&E 300m Masters, making it the richest Masters race on the Victorian Athletic League calendar and likely the richest of its format in the world. Seymour Running Club (SRC) President Blair Collins said the race would be another point of difference for the Seymour Gift which will return to Kings Park on December 14 for the first time in more than two decades. “We’re incredibly grateful to Cj Ogston from Australian Trenching and Excavations for getting behind this concept and bringing the Richest Masters Race in the World to Seymour,” Mr Collins said. “Cj is a massive supporter of so many local community groups and it’s fantastic to have his support. “While everyone is usually out to watch the sprinters, the Seymour Gift will see a new feature race take centre stage in the 300m Masters. “The VAL program includes athletes from Under 14s level right up to the most senior of ages and we’re delighted to be able to spread some money around to the most experienced athletes on the program. “The prizemoney will bring some fierce competition from the Master’s athletes and we’re excited to see them duke it out in the AT&E Masters 300m.” Cj Ogston of AT&E said he was delighted to get behind a fantastic event for the community. “The Seymour Gift is going to be huge for our town and should bring some of the state’s finest athletes to our region,” Mr Ogston said. “The AT&E team are stoked to be able to help out and support the Richest Masters Race in the World.  “We’re looking forward to enjoying the day and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the action.”

Fresh off finishing third in Essendon’s Best and Fairest, Bomber star Sam Durham has been announced as the number one ticket holder of the Seymour Running Club (SRC) ahead of the Seymour Gift at Kings Park on December 14. Durham, recruited from Seymour in the 2021 mid-season draft, has become renowned across the AFL for his tenacity and work rate, having now played 71 games at the highest level. His brother, Joel Durham, sits on the SRC committee, with many friends actively involved with the Club. Fresh off a breakout season, Durham said he was delighted to through his support behind the return of the Seymour Gift. “The Seymour Gift promises to be a massive day for our town with plenty of action on and off the track,” Durham said. “I’m proud to be the number one ticket holder for the Seymour Running Club and can’t wait to see some of our local athletes do their thing on a home track. “I encourage everyone to get down to Kings Park and get around this fantastic event. “Well done to the committee on bringing the Gift back to town. “I can’t wait to enjoy a great day back home in a fantastic community environment.” SRC President Blair Collins thanked Durham for his support. “Sam is an incredible role model for so many people across our community and we’re delighted to have his backing ahead of the Seymour Gift on December 14,” Mr Collins said. “He’s a fine young man and is always keen to get back to Seymour as much as he can and support the town.  “A massive thank you from the entire committee to Sam for his generous support. We hope you’ll join him at Kings Park on December 14 to enjoy a massive day.”