But the New Year’s Day Mixed Sports event – organised by Glenlyon Sports Club – has been drawing alternative competitors and crowds for more than 100 years.

Glenlyon Sports Club president Des Leonard said about 1300 people attended despite the dreary weather.

“It’s a traditional sports day, and many people have been coming here for many years. A lot of people come up from Melbourne every year for it,” Mr Leonard said. 

“People enjoyed themselves. It’s just old fashioned fun that people enjoy. It’s very enjoyable watching people making a fool of themselves.

“You should have seen the bullboar-eating competition.”

Horse racing and wood chopping events took up most of the agenda, however the weird and wacky also entertained.

The region’s best female gumboot throwers were put to the test, with the winner hurling her welly 25 metres. 

Unfortunately, the six-second record for sculling a litre of mineral water could not be broken, with the winner opening his gullet for just over eight seconds.

Mr Leonard said the dull weather had slightly impacted the 

attendance.

“The weather didn’t look too good early, but we got most events over before the rain set in,” he said. “Last year was a terrific day for the event. This year didn’t look too good earlier, although it wasn’t too bad.”

Mr Leonard expected $14,000 to be raised yesterday, with all proceeds to go to Daylesford Hospital, local charities and youth sporting clubs.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au