Sport
17 January, 2025
Big names headlining this year’s Postle Gift
The Postle Gift has returned with dual Olympian Ellie Beer and reigning Stawell Gift women’s champion Chloe Mannix-Power headlining the runners converging on Club Pittsworth this Saturday.
The event was last held in 2023 and there has been much anticipation for the return of this prestigious title.
“The day will start around 11am with plenty of activities for all the family right through to the final race around 4.30pm,” Event Committee Chair Greg Quinn said.
“To have the calibre of Ellie Beer and Chloe Mannix-Power competing in Pittsworth is amazing and gives our local runners a chance to compete against the nation’s best.”
Palm Beach athlete Ellie Beer represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics, competing in the Women’s 400m and Women’s 4 x 400m Relay.
Gold Coast girl Chloe Mannix-Power, is a three-time Australian beach sprinting champion and winner of last year’s Stawell Gift, the nation’s oldest and richest short-distance footrace.
She won the Change Our Game Women’s Gift 120m with a lightning fast time of 13.417 seconds.
Organisers of the Postle Gift have promised some excellent local talent to feature against these big names.
Highlights will be the Bayer Crop Science Arthur Postle Gift and Sunny Queen Women’s Gift, both over
75 yards.
Arthur Postle, “The Crimson Flash”, was a professional sprinter born in Pittsworth, who set world records for sprints of various distances throughout the early 20th Century.
Queensland Athletic League will conduct the professional foot-running event program.
A new event in this year’s program will be a leg of the John “Cracker” McDonald AM Memorial 300m Open, in honour of the champion runner, footballer and administrator.
In a fitting tribute, this will be a three-race series.
The first leg was scheduled to take place in Nerang last Friday, however due to track conditions, it was postponed.
It is expected to be raced in February or March.
The final leg will take place in Kilcoy on Australia Day.
Joan McDonald was emotional as she recalled the days of her husband competing all over Australia in his professional running career.
“Johnny was an amazing athlete, a world record holder for the 440 yards.
“Having this series in his honour means a lot to me and the family,” she said.
The challenge for the Fastest Footballer, sponsored by Wagners, will again see five codes; League, Union, Touch, AFL and Football all chasing prize money and bragging rights for the next twelve months.
Present at the event launch just before Christmas, Max Mason, winner of the inaugural Postle Gift in 2018, who defended his title the following year, said it is a unique event in honour of a pioneer of the sport in Australia from our region.
The victories were that much sweeter for Mr Mason, who is a fifth cousin of Arthur Postle.
“To me it was quite personal and meant so much for our family.
“Winning back-to-back years was an achievement I am very proud of... to see the race back in January is fantastic,” Mr Mason said.
Club Pittsworth, located in Short Street, is hosting the event on Saturday from 11am.
There will be food and drinks available to purchase on the day.
“We have a terrific day planned thanks to our very generous sponsors,” Mr Quinn said.
