Sprinters set to Zoom home

The race will feature some of the region’s top sprinters facing off at the Kerry McCann Athletics Centre in a bid for prize money and bragging rights. 

The event has been created by Athletics Wollongong, with 1982 Commonwealth Games representative Peter Gandy a key backer of the concept. 

One of many Wollongong athletes to go on to great heights in his senior career, Gandy is hopeful the race will provide another opportunity for the region’s top runners to show off their speed.

“I was a long-time member of the club back in the 80s, obviously my career started there, and now with the club celebrating its 60^th anniversary, I thought it was a good time to give back,” Gandy said. 

“The whole event is aimed at getting people involved. It takes into account the elite athletes and takes into account general participation.”

A pair of youngsters are favoured to win the male and female races, with 16-year-old Gabriel Bickel and 12-year-old Chelsea Ezeoke the leading contenders. 

For Gandy, it’s heartening to see so many talented juniors emerging through the athletics ranks.

“We have a few high-profile kids that are performing incredibly well. Some of them are competing at a high level, there’s a lot of talent across a lot of events.”

Proceedings will commence at 5.30 on Wednesday night, with the showcase 200m sprints scheduled to be held at 6.15.