Illawarra personalities will put their running skills to the test in a 50m sprint race to celebrate the region’s biggest horse racing event, The Gong.
15 contenders will line up in the home straight at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Monday morning, vying for the title of The Gong Celebrity Scamper Champion.
Illawarra Hawks rising star Luca Yates is the early favourite to win the foot race, with The Gong Ambassador and popular local trainer Mitch Beer the rank outsider.
Paris Olympics silver medallist and The Gong Ambassador Jessica Hull will officiate the race and have the final say on the result if there is a photo finish.
Members of the public are invited to come along and cheer for their favourite local personality. Free bacon and egg rolls will be provided and general admission tickets for The Gong will be given away on the day.
“We thought a running race featuring local athletes and media personalities would be a fun way to kick off The Gong Week,” The Illawarra Turf Club CEO Steven Keene said. “Ticket sales for The Gong have already exceeded double that of last year so we are gearing up for a huge day.”
More than 5,000 people are expected to be trackside for The Gong, which marks the end of the NSW Spring Carnival. The 10-race program is headlined by the $1million Illawarra Mercury The Gong and the $300,000 Snap Printing Solutions Wollongong The Warra. UK DJ Riton will perform on the day.
Details
Monday, 18th November 2024
9:30am – Gates open, bacon and egg rolls served
10am – Runners and Jessica Hull will be available for interviews
10:30am – The Gong Celebrity Scamper
10:45am – Sash presentation
The Gong Celebrity Scamper Field
Amy Zikic – The Gong Ambassador and Owner of Amy Zee Hair
Bella Leone – i98FM Breakfast Host
Brock Ryan – The Gong-winning Jockey
Casey Sablowski – Three-time Australian Olympic Hockey Player
Christian McEwan – i98FM Breakfast Host
Damien Leith – Wave FM Breakfast Host
Henry Phillips – Owner Henry Clive Bar & Groove Society DJ
Lisa Trujillo – Owner Lisa Trujillo Activewear
Luca Yates – Illawarra Hawks Player
Luke Price – The Gong-winning Trainer
Mitchell Beer – The Gong Ambassador and leading Kembla Grange Trainer
Mercury Max – Illawarra Mercury Newshound
Sarah Cawte – Win News Illawarra Weather Presenter
Steven Keene – The Illawarra Turf Club CEO
Tara McGrath-West – St George Illawarra Dragons NRL W Player
For media enquiries please contact CEO Steven Keene on (02) 4261 7211 or steven@illawarraturf.com.au
