Retro Sprint

Australia 's 100 metres backwards running championships will be staged for the third time as part of Port Fairy's 59th New Year's Eve celebrations.

Defending men's champions from previous years events are expected to line up in front of what Moyneyana Festival organisers expect will be a record crowd. Port Fairy's own Joel Dwyer's Australian Record of 16.44 seconds, will be challenged by last year's winner Donald McDonald, of VFL fame.

Organisers are seeking female participants to test their ability and challenge the previous record.

Retro running is not just a fun event but also a sport that is backed by scientific studies. Not only does it burn one third more calories than normal running, it also develops balance and is more beneficial to runners' quadriceps, reduces ground impact and enhances flexibility.

Footy empires have mastered it as have many soccer players and basket-ballers, so why don't you give it a go?

About 12,000 people were in the town centre for last year's races, which were a curtain-raiser to the annual New Year's Eve procession.

Backwards, or retro-running is fairly new to Australia but has a big following overseas, and Port Fairy's Retro event has attracted strong interest from national and international clubs.

Festival chairman Reg Harry said his committee had gone to great lengths to ensure Port Fairy retains the event.

This year's race, while still under the banner of the Moyneyana Festival, is being run by the Port Fairy Cricket Club, with heats at Southcombe Park at 11 am and finals in the main street at 7.30pm. Entries for the races will be taken on the morning of December 31. During adult heats there will be an opportunity for the younger children to participate in fun retro races.

The retro-race finals will be followed by the New Year's Eve Parade of decorated floats and later, free live band entertainment on the Village Green and a midnight fireworks spectacular.

For more information on the Retro Race contact Paul Bucci 03 5568 2487 and 0428 326 012.

For Moyneyana Festival information, Festival Chairman Reg Harry can be contacted on 0438 681 237.