Laura Triffett 400m Handicap 1991
Laura Triffett was a highly respected and loved member of the Sandy Bay Women's Harrier Club from the mid 1950's until her death in 1982. She was a Life Member and also Patroness of the Club.
Beside providing a trophy each year, Mrs Triffitt helped out with generous donations. For many years she travelled from her home at Magra down to Hobart to present the trophies at our annual trophy presentation night. When this became too much for her she presented a perpetual trophy for the best Club sprinter. This is now awarded for a 400 metres handicap event; the event being held in conjunction with the Bill Dunn Handicap for the men.
The Laura Triffitt handicap race, run over 400 metres, proved to be an exciting display of intra-club racing. Held over two days, with heats on Sunday afternoon and the final on the following Thursday, it was a great climax to the pre-Christmas part of the season.
The handicap format of the event is the fairest way of running an intra-club race. Not only does it provide close finishes, but it also brings the best out of athletes as they are required to run personal bests or close to them to win. It also means that the slowest runner has as much chance as the fastest, therefore it encourages all club members to enter. The distance of 2400 metres also means that sprinters or longer distance runners are not discriminated against. The two groups can compete on equal basis.
The success of this type of race relies on the fairness and skill of the handicapper, and Scott Hennessy did an outstanding job, with no runaway runners in any of the races.
The Sunday heats, held in near perfect conitions, saw 8 people advance to the final, including the two back-markers Susan Castley and Angela Cooper, and one of the front-makers, Bridget Bisdee. The other finalistists weree Helen Castley, Allison Darcey, Anne Pullen, Andrea Marquardt and Tanya King. The Finalists came from all over the field, indication the skill of the handicapper.
The Thursay final was once again held in perfect conditions, and as Bob Mazey prepared the race, the runners were moved into position. The youngest in the race, Angela Cooper and the oldest, Susan Castley, shared the back-markers role. From my position at the back of the field it was obvious that the front-markers were going to take a deal of catching, Angela thought so too, but she was able to do what appeard to be impossible. She was equal with me at the back of the field with 150 metres to run, but she pulled out an incredibly strong finish to catch the remainder of the field down the straight and win a close finish from Bridget and Helen. Tanya ran a brave race, looking to have it won with 50 metres to go, only to tire as Angela applied pressure. The equal back-marker was left to bring the rear and ponder whether 18 was a suitable retiring age!?!
A Club barbeque was held after the race, with those having extra energy playing cricket. This informal get-together was a pleasant start to the festive season.
By Susan Castley