Local takes out inaugural Portarlington Gift

A FIRST final, a first win and a hometown crowd highlighted an incredible day for Harriett Fox in the inaugural Portarlington Gift.

Fox’s fairytale-like achievement capped off a successful first running of the event, as crowds packed the Portarlington Recreation Reserve on a summery Sunday afternoon to enjoy high quality athletics.

“It’s kind of crazy to be honest, you don’t really think about it until you’ve won,” Fox said after claiming her maiden Women’s Gift sash.

“First of all, it’s the first Gift, but then you’re also a local. So being able to back the town up and everything that’s been happening with the pressure on me a little bit, I’m really chuffed.

“I was quite nervous going into it and I thought it was going to get to me, but it didn’t thank goodness, and I managed to pull through which I’m very happy about.”

As her legs tired in the 120m race, Fox felt a late push on her home turf that got her across the finish line first.

“I had this little extra kick in me in the last little bit, which surprised me because I was cooked,” she said.

“Crossing the finish line, I was just beside myself – I could not stop smiling! There was a whole mix of emotions, but it was really cool.”

Athletes and spectators alike were impressed by the inaugural Portarlington Gift, which saw long canteen lines and plenty of cheering from the sidelines.

“With everything happening in Portarlington at the moment – over New Years and just heaps of people around – there was a really good crowd, which helped a lot.

“It was a really fast track and the weather was quite nice as well. Everything about it was just really smooth.”

Fellow Portarlington local Tannah Hildebrand took out the women’s 70m event, with the feat even more incredible given she is just 14-years-old.

Event organiser Peter Emerson reiterated the success of the day.

“It was an exceptional day; the weather was really kind to us and we had a really good crowd,” he said.

“We were just stoked with the support.”

For results, head to the Victorian Athletic League website.