Australian Commonwealth Games sprinters Lauren Wells and Melissa Breen will again headline the Queanbeyan Gift footrace this year as organisers look to boost last year's record-breaking numbers.
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With a focus on attracting women to the event this year, it is hoped the top eight ranked female sprinters in Australia will make it to the city to race.
And aside from this niche the event will take on board this year, it is hoped in excess of 750 entries will be received to take part in the largest foot racing carnival in NSW.
Queanbeyan Gift organiser and Queanbeyan City Council place management coordinator Tracey Lamont said early stages of planning aimed to make this year's carnival the largest in its 14-year history.
"We're really targeting women to the event this year and that will be our niche," she said.
"But we're also trying to get as many Little Athletics clubs involved- there are 13 we'll target in southern NSW- and there'll also be a bunch of novelty events during the second day."
The Gift is one of just two events of its kind that splits prize money equally among male and female winners.
This year's edition will have an overall pool of $45,000 with $18,000 going towards the men and women, while $2000 will be split evenly between the male and female junior events.
The Junior Gift races are an exciting new addition to this year's program and are open to 16-18 year olds.
Any offerings or queries regarding the event itself and sponsorship can be made to Tracy Lamont on 6285 6308 or Tracey.Lamont@qcc.nsw.gov.au.