Lachlan Sheffield aiming to challenge in the men’s Gift at next week’s Bay Sheffield
LACHLAN Sheffield was born to run in SA’s richest and most famous footrace, the Bay Sheffield.
LACHLAN Sheffield was born to run in SA’s richest and most famous footrace.
His father, Charles, finished second in the men’s Gift at the 1988 Bay Sheffield and his uncle Rick and grandfather Don also competed at the Colley Reserve carnival.
Then there is Lachlan’s surname, which tends to be a talking point whenever his athletics career and the Bay Sheffield are mentioned.
“When I say I do running and bring up the Bay Sheffield, people often ask if it’s any relation to me,” Lachlan says of the event, which actually takes its name from a foot race between two pubs in Sheffield, England.
“It would be quite unique if I did do well.
“But in relation to running, it hasn’t distracted me.
“It’s more that it’s personal for me – my whole family has always been behind the Bay Sheffield and always followed it. That’s the thing that drives me a little more than the name as such.”
Lachlan, 22, will race in the men’s 120m sprint at this year’s Bay Sheffield, which runs from December 26-28, and aims to again exceed his low expectations.
Twelve months ago, he finished fifth in his first final at the Bay Sheffield – three decades after Charles, Rick and Don all ran in the same meet there – on the comeback trail from a two-year lay-off with a stress fracture in his left leg.
The Fulham resident enters next week’s meet on the back of minimal training or races because of groin and hamstring injuries.
“(Last year) was a bit unexpected and it was an unreal experience ... but around this time, I was starting to find a bit more training form.
“There’s still a little bit of time so I might improve a little bit but I’m a bit of an unknown, I guess.”
Lachlan, who trains with the WASPS stable, has already triumphed at the Bay Sheffield – in the junior Gift in 2012.
He is hopeful that despite his interrupted preparation he can make the men’s final again this year.
“I’m just going to run, enjoy myself and hope for the best.
“If you make the final, you’re a chance of winning it.
“I’ve definitely thought about the headline (after winning the Bay Sheffield) – it’d be pretty funny, pretty cool.”