By Mikayla van Loon
Morrison Reserve’s athletics track and its views of rolling hills and beautiful sunsets provide quite the scenery for aspiring athletes, and the setting has been recognised as the country’s most scenic.
Yarra Ranges Athletics’ (YRA) Jamie Strudley said the award from Inside Athletics showed just how much effort the committee puts into keeping the facilities at a high standard.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and especially money working with the Council to improve the venue both with the track and also the facilities and equipment that’s there so we can hold any athletics event,” he said.
The award was based on photos the club had uploaded to its Inside Athletics track profile and from there people could vote for the best and most scenic tracks around Australia.
“So there were four rounds and we got through all of them,” Mr Strudley said.
Mr Strudley said the club now hopes the elevated profile and the recognition will help YRA attract newcomers but also draw travellers to use the track when visiting the area.
Raising the awareness of such a facility in the Yarra Ranges, Mr Strudley said it will also encourage local schools to use the track for athletic carnivals.
“Our local Yarra Ranges schools don’t use our venue, they go to other athletics tracks and part of that is because they just don’t know what exists so this result, for want of a better word, is going to help us to promote to the various schools we’ve got in the Shire.”
YRA prides itself on being a participation focused club no matter what age or ability.
“It’s not about who you beat, it’s about how fast you run and getting out there and having a crack and that’s right through from our five year olds through to our 95 year olds. They’re getting out there and being active.”
