Katamatite celebrates its 150-year anniversary with the inaugural Katamatite Sprint on March 21.
Katamatite’s 150th anniversary celebration will get a burst of speed on Saturday, March 21 at the Katamatite Rec Reserve, when Stawell Gift winner Glenn Crawford visits to help officiate the inaugural ‘Katamatite Sprint’.
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Glenn Crawford grew up in Katamatite and was 22 years old when he powered through controversy, disqualification and a high-pressure final to claim a magnificent victory in the 1995 Stawell Gift.
The 150m dash has been designed to honour the town’s 150 years, with one metre for every year since settlement.
While billed as a fun sprint open to the community, organisers expect plenty of friendly rivalry once runners toe the line on the oval.
Committee member Charlie Hodge said having a Stawell Gift winner involved added something special to the milestone event.
“It’s not every day a town our size gets a Stawell Gift winner at the Rec Reserve,” Mr Hodge said.
“We wanted something active and symbolic; it’s about celebrating our history, but also having a bit of fun.”
Glenn Crawford won the 1995 Stawell Gift and returns to the town he grew up in this month to help officiate the Katamatite Sprint.
The sprint forms part of a full day of festivities at the Katamatite Rec Reserve, including children’s activities, displays and entertainment.
Earlier that morning, Mr Hodge will lead a relaxed community fun run and walk around the streets of Katamatite.
“You can run, jog or stroll,” he said.
“It’s about getting people moving, seeing the town and starting the day together.”
From a steady morning lap to a flat-out 150 metres down the straight at the Katamatite Rec Reserve, Katamatite’s big birthday promises to be a celebration with energy.
