History for Gaffney with third gift win

HOLDING ON: Morgan Gaffney (white) crosses the line first in the women's Burnie Gift on Sunday. Picture: Cordell Richardson.

Morgan Gaffney became the only woman to win three Burnie Gifts as she crossed the line ahead of Olympian Morgan Mitchell on Sunday.

Gaffney held on to pip Mitchell to the line in the 2017 women’s Burnie Gift to claim her third win in the event.

The Somerset runner won the gift in 2011 off 9m and in 2013 off 7.25m but said her 2017 win topped the list.

“You don’t get much better than that, I’m just really lucky,” Gaffney said.

“And I won it from white, off 4.5m.

“I think my other ones were off seven and nine but this is something special.”

Gaffney shared an emotional moment with her family following the race and dedicated her win to her coach, Ricky Clarke.

“It was more for my coach, the work that he puts into me and the sacrifices that he makes for his family.

“I just really wanted to win this for him, and I have.”

Having the home crowd support spurred Gaffney on who said it just added to the occasion.

“You don’t get much better than a home crowd.

“People that don’t know you still cheer for you and I just love it.

“I still can’t believe, I don’t have the words.

“I don’t think it will sink in for another couple of days.”

Gaffney took the win with a time of 14.54 seconds ahead of Morgan Mitchell with Kiara Chambers in third.

She said she could hear Morgan Mitchell coming n the last few metres and the finish line couldn’t come quick enough.