Currumbin Gift IN SPRINT TOWARDS Brisbane 2032

WORDS: Jason Oxenbridge PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Athletics stalwart Peter McKean is determined to revive the legendary Currumbin Gift, bring back a rich piece of Gold Coast sporting history ahead of the Brisbane 2032 games

Peter McKean is racing against the clock to bring back an historic running race won by his father in 1948-49.

McKean is on a mission and is counting on community and government support to get the Currumbin Gift over the line.

He believes the Gold Coast could host its own version of the Stawell Gift and has earmarked January 3-4 at Salk Oval Currumbin as his ‘field of dreams’.

“My father won the race twice when it was the Currumbin Valley Gift, so it’s an event that has a great history,” says McKean, who has set up Currumbin Gift Athletic Club Inc to help resurrect the event.

First run in 1940’s at Currumbin Valley State School and later relocating due to the creation of Salk Oval in 1965, the Currumbin Gift is steeped in Gold Coast athletics history.

It was once the richest foot race in Queensland and attracted speedsters from across the country through its peak in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Its roots are etched in folklore with rugby league great Ken Irvine winning the race in 1966.

McKean has thrown down the gauntlet for the current crop of NRL speedsters to have crack at a specialist race on the day.

The return of the great race at Salk Oval would break a 40-year hiatus after its last hurrah in 1985.

McKean says the event would attract visitors to the region, inject dollars into the local economy and create buzz around athletics in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“My purpose it to resurrect this once famous race to restore the family connection with local sporting clubs to benefit,” he says.

“The Gift has always been an extravaganza for the community, in some years including equestrian events, in others woodchopping or fashion parades. What was once the highlight of the athletics year on the Gold Coast ran its last race in 1985 to the disappointment of many.

“Now in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, it is time to reinject competitive sprinting into the Southern Gold Coast athletics calendar and give the community a fun and exciting family day out.”

McKean says he has secured $25,000 to kick-start planning and has been in contact with Queensland Athletic League and Gold Coast City Council to gain support and permits.

“We are looking for help from the community and major sponsors to activate this once great race. Naming rights are available and can be locked in for years to come. There’s no reason why one day it can’t be as big as the Gold Coast Marathon,” he beams.

The event could include men’s and women’s 120m, 200m and 400m handicapped sprints, and culminate in the presentation of the Graham McKean medal (honouring Peters father, the men’s champion 1948-49).

The Currumbin Gift is slated to be much more than a running race – the vision is to create a two-day community-inspired event which would include an early morning 5km walk or 10km fun run, live music, food and beverages, children’s entertainment and more.

McKean believes the event will have a ripple effect across the city and spark investment and create a platform for athletes of all ages to compete.

“One of the challenges is that kids these days are not being exposed to athletics as much the old days and this would be something they could aspire to winning. It has legendary status and the benefits are clear – why wouldn’t we want to bring it back?”

Queensland Athletic League life member Bruce Duncan is encouraging sponsors to get on board and to partner in what is envisaged to be an iconic event.

“We need a major event in Queensland after losing the Gold Coast Gift at Evandale and it will be great to see it resurrected at Currumbin where it all started,” he says.

You never know, the next Gout Gout, Bree Rizzo or Lachlan Kennedy could be just waiting in the wings, training for their opportunity to burst out of the blocks and to create history.