THERE is no event on the Victorian Athletic League (VAL) calendar Glenn McMillan looks forward to more than the Maryborough Gift meeting on New Year's Day.
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For one, it's an opportunity for the 27-year-old to return home.
McMillan - a middle-distance performer, and now based in Echuca - was born and raised in Maryborough and as recently as six-years ago, played football for the Bendigo league Magpies
Adding to his Maryborough Gift attachment, Princes Park has been home to some of his biggest athletic wins.
Few athletics followers, avid and those decidedly more casual for one afternoon each year at Maryborough, will forget in a hurry the sight of McMillan urging the Princes Park crowd on as he cantered to victory in the open 1600m in 2018.
He duly followed up by going back-to-back in the event in 2019, winning in even more dramatic fashion by a mere whisker over Ashton Macdonald.
Regrettably, McMillan won't get his shot at a third title in 2021, after the Maryborough Highland Society on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the event.
It's a decision that has saddened McMillan - a teacher at Gunbower Primary School - but one he fully supports.
"I wasn't surprised; with the way things have been going with the pandemic, having the athletes there, the woodchoppers, the strong men, the highland dancers and the bands, you would have a thousand people there just as participants," he said.
"It's unrealistic to have that size gathering and that size of a venue.
"It's understandable they have made the decision they have,"
McMillan, who occasionally competes at Bendigo Athletics Centre events during the summer, said it was hard to imagine he would not be gracing the hallowed turf at Princes Park come January 1.
"I love the place; I played footy there for many years and played in three grand finals on that oval in under-17s footy and played a handful of senior games for Maryborough," he said.
"I turned my attention to running and was fortunate enough to win the mile there in 2018 and '19.
"I love the venue and when I am back visiting mum and dad (Ian and Judy), I always train on it.
"It's a really great surface. Even the last time I was back there about seven weeks ago, it was just a perfect surface to run on."
McMillan has no doubt the Gift will return 'bigger than ever' to Maryborough in 2022.
For now he is awaiting word from the VAL on what a potential athletics season might look like, with other events almost certain to be cancelled in the weeks and months ahead as the coronavirus crisis lingers on.
McMillan last competed at the Bendigo International Madison carnival in March, which was the last event held before Victoria went into lockdown.
"I'm still training; for the past 12-weeks I've been averaging about 110 kilometres a week - mainly in two sessions," he said.
"I'm just enjoying being out and about. It's good to have a different focus, away from just racing, and more on consolidating the training.
"It's good being able to enjoy running for the running."
Away from the athletics arena, McMillan has been working diligently to navigate the challenges of teaching during a pandemic.
"School has looked completely different," he said.
"Remote learning has been a challenge for not only teachers but families. You can understand how families would get frustrated.
"But it's been really great to see the resilience of the kids and how much they have taken to it and how they have adapted to this learning model.
"The kids are enjoying it, but are really missing the social attraction of being able to hang out in the yard with their mates."
In addition to the athletics events, the Maryborough Highland Society has also cancelled all other celebrations usually held throughout the town on New Year's Day, which includes pipe bands, highland games and other entertainment.
The highland gathering was due to celebrate its 160th anniversary in 2021.
I love the place (Princes Park); I played footy there for many years and played in three grand finals on that oval in under-17s footy and played a handful of senior games for Maryborough.
- Glenn McMillan
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