Preparations are in order for the 64th annual St Helens Athletics Carnival this weekend.
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Perfect summer conditions, combined with quality cycling, woodchopping and athletics is expected to attract a bumper crowd to the East Coast for the Tasmanian Chirstmas Carnival Series’ final event.
Defending 120-metre men’s gift champion David McCrae will be joined by fellow past winners Ross Lovell, Alec Eiszelle, John Howe and Luke Whitney.
Reigning women’s gift titleholder Abby Chapman is the favourite to retain her crown but will be challenged by youngsters Madi Casey and Joanna Potter.
Jorden Englund will be tested by Jarrod Gilmore, Lovell and Dan Le Moto in the men’s 400m with national running champion Sam Clifford tipped to overcome front-markers Aaron Humphrey, Darren Brown and Troy Atkins in the open 3200m race.
Past wheel winners Michael Astell, Aaron Jones and Tim Taylor lead a 37-strong contingent of senior male cyclists, while Launceston’s Lauren Perry will face competition from Jessie Sawyer, Amalia Langham and Anya Louw in the women’s events.
More than 30 junior cyclist such as Lachlan Spurr and Jack Menzies will take part with many registering to compete in the motor pace derby.
East Coast’s Joe Rattray will be up against Steven Rowe, Andrew Kelly and Kevin Andrew in the standing block wood chopping events, while Matthew Gurr is likely to add another St Helens A-grade tree felling championship to his name.
President Kaelene Crossingham said the carnival would feature equal prize money for both female and male competitors for the first time and focus on junior participation. Gates open at 8am, with Little Athletics starting at 8.45am.