Athletes
About
Camden Classic
With some challenging hot weather everywhere this week, we are feeling grateful that we have scored what looks like a great day for Camden. It will be a fantastic opportunity for athletes and spectators to get out for a great day of racing. Bring your friends and family and get out of the house this weekend! Good luck to all those racing tomorrow!
Women’s Camden Classic Preview
Men’s Camden Classic Preview
5AA Camden Classic Preview
There will be a raffle, spectator competitions and a silent auction. The canteen and bar will be open and be sure to grab yourself a slushie. For more details https://saal.org.au/camden-classic/
Racing kicks off at 12 noon.
Live program https://saal.org.au/program/
Thomas Wright Memorial Mile
McKinnon Parade and Camden, together with sponsors The Wright Family, Ultratune Glenelg and Hamilton MG (Brighton and Reynella), have joined forces this year to bring you the Thomas Wright Memorial Mile. This is a significant and special race that has found a new home at the Camden Classic Carnival this year. We really wanted to share with you some background on Tom.
Something about Tom!
Reflections from Mickey Buckler (in 2005) and Luke Czaban (in 2011) on McKinnon Parade member Thomas William Wright (1983 – 2005). Forever young!
Back in October 2004 Thomas Wright stepped on to the Hallett Cove Oval, with the best wishes of his coach to have a good run. And what a run! Tom’s first win was also my first as a coach – a win special for us both. It was a perfect reward for his hard work, which was then “book-ended” later in the season with another win in the mile at Glenelg.
As well as running with the SAAL, Tom played a lone hand in representing Adelaide Uni at Santos on most Saturdays in summer and boundary umpired in the SANFL in winter; umpiring grand finals at U/19 and Reserves level in his first 2 years of umpiring. His patrolling of the boundary was described as “tireless and fearless”.
Yet running and umpiring were only part of the story. While he rarely missed a training session, including Sunday mornings during football season, Tom still found time for family, studies, work (at the General Havelock and SAJC), water skiing and friends – how did he fit them all in?
Tom was a man of carefully chosen words – described by his uncle as a good listener – and they were words worth listening to. His dad said he “… wasn’t one to waste words…” – how true. On his last training night with us – a family holiday beckoned before his tragic accident – Tom looked at me as he and Mark Beveridge walked back to their marks and with a smile said “..this is not much fun, Mickey”. It summed it all up – just a light moment before the work began in earnest.
In 2011 I asked Luke Czaban for his thoughts and this is part of his response. Tom was always very keen and diligent in his approach to athletics, both on and off the track. It mirrored his general approach to life and earned him the friendship and respect of everyone he knew. There was also a side to Tom that had a very dry and understated wit that was either directed towards others in the group (generally it was towards Reddas, Mickey and Hollywood for their “mature” attitude and approach to life) or in a self- deprecating way, especially in the second half of a training session where he found it harder and harder to stick to Bevo’s tail.
Tom’s presence is sorely missed. When I heard news of Tom’s passing, I was working away. The emotion in Mickey’s voice as he told me what had happened reflected the high regard and esteem that we all held Tom in. It was an appropriate and fitting decision that was made in naming the feature race at our annual race meeting after Tom. The first running of the race was an amazing tribute to Tom, not only for the members of the McKinnon Parade family but also for the other competitors in the field that day from many different stables who honoured Tom in wearing black armbands in remembrance of him. I was glad to be a witness to that day, even if I wasn’t competing.
Tom’s loss has been felt by us all. His funeral packed the chapel at Rostrevor College and helped alleviate our pain. Poignant, heartfelt, sad, happy – it had it all. For me the music was spot on – to hear Neil Young sing “…the king is gone, but not forgotten…” was just right. Each night I walk on to our track at McKinnon I see Tom chasing Mark and wishing he was there.
Finally, with due respect to Oliver Wendell Holmes. “We have shared an incommunicable experience. We felt, we still feel, the passion of life to its top. In our hearts we were touched (by Thomas William Wright).”
Thomas Wright Memorial Mile Race Preview
Nominations
Reynella Gift Carnival – Early bird nominations close Sunday
25th Nippy’s Loxton Gift – Now open! Don’t miss out on this amazing carnival
Tea Tree Gully – Now open!
Enter now!
Tea Tree Gully Sprint Skins Carnival
A new concept and a great location at Civic Park, Modbury to showcase pro running skins style.
Thanks to Supreme Quilts and Tea Tree Gully Council we bring you a dynamic and exciting 50m Skins Carnival – You will get a minimum of 3 runs and points will progress those successful to the final.
U14 and U18 series points will apply at this carnival so don’t miss one of your last opportunities to get points in these series.
Great prizemoney is on offer with the top 3 in each category to take home the cash.
Food and drink will be provided and there is fun to be had. Enter now!
City of Onkaparinga Reynella Gift Carnival
What a fun and atmospheric carnival this is. With a new February time slot, we hope that athletes who have missed Reynella in the past will jump in and have a crack in 2026. There is a trackside bar, the bbq will be sizzling and a coffee van will be there. Racing highlights include the 120 Gifts, dynamic 300s and the 800s. Early bird nominations close midnight tomorrow! Enter now!
25th Nippy’s Loxton Git
Such a special carnival! This will be the 25th Nippy’s Loxton Gift and one not to miss. Double series points are on offer for the Under 18 and Over 35 Middle Distance Series.
We are also delighted to announce the new home of one of SAALs most favourite and loved Over 35 races, “The Reddaway” proudly supported by McKinnon Parade. This race honours the late great Ian Reddaway. Pack a bottle of red and get your noms in so we can raise a glass to Reddas, one of SAALs most beloved larrakins.
SERIES UPDATES
Full leaderboards and details are here:
*Don’t forget there are double points available for Loxton in the Over 35 and Under 18 Series*
Williams Back to School Bolt U14 Series
Mort Daly Running Foundation U18 Series
Supreme Quilts Over 35 Middle Distance Series
See you at Camden!
