From left: Liam Gander, Kevin Moore, Laura Whaler, Pirrenee Steinert and Benn Harradine
Thursday 13th December saw the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale play host to the 2012 Hunter Track Classic Launch.
The rock concert feel to the launch provided a preview of what one can expect of the Hunter Track Classic on January 21st, with a red carpet, pop songs and glamorous outfits all part of the entertaining proceedings.
Commonwealth Games gold medalist Benn Harradine was the star of the show, and was accompanied to the stage by iconic Newcastle television personality Big Dog. Not only do Harradine’s impressive athletic achievements make him a huge draw card, but Benn also aims to significantly contribute the entertainment aspect of the track and field meet.
Stating that it is important “to entertain the crowd…and have fun”, Benn is looking forward to having the crowd involved in the discus event by allowing them to encroach onto the throwing arena. This will provide valuable motivation for the throwers as they target the Olympic qualifying standards, with Harradine confirming; “That’s what makes us compete the best – having the crowd right there at the cage, clapping us in”.
Hunter athletes Liam Gander (Men’s 4x400m relay team, 2011 World Championships), Laura Whaler (Women’s 4x100m relay, 2011 World Championships), Kevin Moore (2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist in Men’s 4x400m relay) and Pirrenee Steinert (Women’s 4x400m relay, 2009 World Championships and 2010 Commonwealth Games) all added a further touch of glamour to the launch. They participated in a variety of entertaining publicity stunts, which saw them peel off party outfits to reveal their running gear, as well as signing autographs for enthusiastic fans.
In addition to their intent to thrill and entertain, the four athletes highlighted the importance of the meet to their achingly close bids to qualify for the London Olympics. Less than two months from the Australia Olympic Selection Trials and six months out from the 2012 Games, the Hunter Track Classic holds national significance with Olympic qualification on the line. Consequently, the event has attracted the likes of World Champion Dani Samuels, as well as world-class Australian athletes Tamsyn Lewis, Lauren Boden and Emanuele Fuamatu.
The 2012 Hunter Track Classic will once again include colour commentary from the field, post race interviews, music, live results and spectators close to the action. New additions include a DJ on the ground, a men’s high jump shootout, a precision javelin competition with a cash prize, a R4YL Mass Participation 1000m Challenge, as well as a 1500m finale which will see the entire crowd move onto the track. Furthermore, in what will be an Australian first, Harradine will throw back-to-back with Samuels in a discus showdown.
As the launch successfully signified, the 2012 Hunter Track Classic is set to be a night of both quality athletics and entertainment, with Benn confidently stating that it “is going to be a big evening, with some surprises coming out”.
