THOUSANDS flocked to the Rye football oval for the annual Rye Gift athletics carnival on Saturday.
The main race was won by Cam Dunbar, who ran on a handicap of 7.75 metres in a time of 12.45 seconds. Dunbar previously won the event in 2004.
Second was Kevin Brittain off a handicap of 5.75 metres and a finishing time of 12.50 seconds for the 120-metre event.
Mark Hignett came third off a handicap of 11.50 seconds and a finishing time of 12.50 seconds.
In the women's Diamond race, also over 120 metres, Eleni Gilden won with a time of 14.325 seconds off a 10.75-metre handicap, from Kim McDonough (13 metres) in a finishing time of 14.372 seconds. Nadia Domaschenz came in third off a handicap of eight metres in 14.182 seconds.
Rye Sports and Social Club secretary Robyn Vanlieshout said children enjoyed a giant slide and rock climbing at the event and that all the spectators were well behaved.
Sporting clubs also joined in the action with the annual 1200-metre football race. Red Hill Football Club took out the event, followed closely by Rye, Dromana and Rosebud. First across the line was 17-year-old Brody Egan of Rye Football Club.
Click on link, upper right, to read more about Cam Dunbar.