EAGLEHAWK'S Brett Gilligan celebrated a breakthrough victory in Sunday's running of the Hilson Builders-backed Sally Conroy Memorial 200m at the Bendigo International Madison carnival.
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After a string of placings in previous starts at the classic, Gilligan dashed and weaved his way to an impressive victory.
The Bendigo Harriers athlete and coach started off 12m in the final and lifted his rate over the last 20 metres to defeat clubmate Anthony Dempster (14m) and Eaglehawk's Thomas Savage (20m).
"I've been trying to win this for a few years," Gilligan said shortly after the presentation.
He had been second, third and fourth in previous runs.
"To win this means a lot," Gilligan said.
The Sally Conroy Memorial was first run in the 1978-79 season.
Gilligan and the rest of the field were rapt to be racing at the madison carnival.
"In the straight there's a bit of a cheer. The legs get ticking over a little quicker than at the track," he said of racing at a carnival instead of the Saturday meets run by Athletics Bendigo at the Latrobe University Bendigo athletics complex in Flora Hill.
In many of his previous starts in the Sally Conroy Memorial, Gilligan was at or near the back and chasing.
These days it's the like of younger opponents such as South Bendigo's Nigel Self and Josh Pickthall, and Harriers' clubmate Luke Rowlatt who are doing the chasing off the backmarkers.
Gilligan's experience was to the fore on the home straight.
"The final was a lot harder," he said of the dash to victory.
At the top of the straight Gilligan was behind a line of four across the track.
"There was a big decision to be made. It was either stay behind and hope one pushes up, or go five wide.
"It was bit of a blur. The decision had to be made quickly."
Other finalists were Andrew Bruce (Bendigo Harriers, 6); Billy McNally (South Bendigo, 10); Luke Padgham (Bendigo Harriers, 14); Carlie Whitford (Eaglehawk, 20); and Dave Chisholm (Eaglehawk, 22).
A busy summer for Gilligan has included a lot of coaching.
"We have a squad of 10 heading to nationals next week.
"Half are realistic medal chances and the rest are capable of top eight."
It's the highest number of Gilligan-coached athletes who have progressed to the nationals.
"I can remember when I started and two went through which was exciting."
Placings in the Sally Conroy Memorial 200m final:
Brett Gilligan (37, Bendigo Harriers, 12m); Anthony Dempster (15, Bendigo Harriers, 14m); Tom Savage (19, Eaglehawk, 20m); Andrew Bruce (17, Bendigo Harriers, 6m); Billy McNally (16, South Bendigo, 10m); David Chisholm (46, Eaglehawk, 22m); Carlie Whitford (18, Eaglehawk, 22m); Luke Padgham (13, Bendigo Harriers, 14m).
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