South Australian Athletic League 2020 Brighton Gift carnival set for inaugural live stream

Rising star Lakara Stallan is eyeing more silverware at this Sunday’s Brighton Gift carnival – live streamed exclusively here. Watch the replay.

Highly promising sprinter Lakara Stallan is quickly stamping herself as one of the state’s best.

And the modest teenager, who enjoyed success at last month’s Kensington Gift, has her eyes firmly set on claiming more silverware.

Stallan, 17, will race in the South Australian Athletic League Brighton Gift carnival this Sunday, as a warm up to the coveted Bay Sheffield.

In a first for the race and in a new era for the SAAL, the Brighton Gift will be live streamed by The Advertiser on adelaidenow.com.au from 12pm.

Stallan said finishing first in the Kensington Gift 120m under-18 girls race was a shock because she ran off scratch.

Lakara Stallan after winning the 120m under-18 girls final at the 2020 Kensington Gift, with Jade Dinan (second) and Pia Marschall (third). Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

She hoped to replicate that form at Brighton and said. having another race live streamed was be a huge coup.

“It (the Kensington Gift) wasn’t really something I thought I’d be in contention to win just because I was off scratch so I was surprised to win,” Stallan said.

“I was pretty stoked and it felt good to be able to chase everyone down.

“I don’t think having it live streamed will add extra pressure, it’s just exciting.

“I am just going to try my best and see what happens on the day.

“The Bay Sheff is the next race and winning that is something that would mean a lot and is my goal for this year.”

The Flagstaff Hill youngster, who runs for Atalanta Athletics Adelaide and trained by Dan Semmler, is no stranger to racing on the big stage.

At just 13, Stallan came third in the under-18 400m race at the Brighton athletics carnival, losing to her sisters Tayla (first) and Caitlin (second).

It was the second-straight year the Flagstaff Hill siblings had scored a trifecta at Brighton after they claimed the dais places over 300m in 2015.

“I started running when I was 10 years old and I got involved because I just really liked running,” Stallan said.

Lakara Stallan is a 17-year-old who is set to race at the Brighton Gift on Sunday. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I did really well at school events, so I got a coach and started training with the SAAL and then started competed at the track as well.

“I love the way running makes me feel when I’m competing.

“I love how individual it is — how if you lose, it’s all on you and if you win, you get the success.”

Stallan has, however, endured a tough year.

An injury to her adductor magnus, a large muscle in her thigh, threatened to derail her running campaigns.

But she says there was a silver lining to the injury.

“It did interrupt training but it’s also been good because I’ve been able to strengthen up my leg and also the rest of my body as well, which has made a difference with my running.”

Stallan will be one of 220 athletes competing at the Brighton Gift.

South Australian Athletic League president Colin Rowston said the Brighton Gift was a great opportunity for athletes to tune up before the state’s richest race.

The Brighton Gift Athletics Carnival begins at 12pm on Sunday.