There is no shortage of Maryborough Highland Gathering sashes in the Ballarat household of the Martin family.
Daniel Martin has had three wins over the past two new year’s day meets.
He claimed the masters 300m in 2015 and then this year picked up a double in the masters 300m and masters 120m.
As exciting as that was for him, what made the day even more exciting was seeing his teenage daughter Talia on the top of the podium in the women’s 400m.
“It was fun day with the family...extra special sharing a successful day with Talia.”
The Martins head back to Maryborough on Sunday, but this time there is a different feel about it.
While Daniel is chasing a third consecutive masters 300m title, Talia returns to Princes Park as one of the highest profile female sprinters on the Australian professional athletics circuit as the reigning Stawell Gift titleholder.
As much as Daniel Martin is still enjoying running, he says the family focus was now on continuing to nurture Talia’s career.
He said Talia, 16, was handling the pressure really well.
Talia has already competed at Terang (finishing fifth in the 120 gift) and Northcote this season, as well as Bay Sheffield in Adelaide at the weekend.
“She’s building,” Daniel said.
The Stawell Gift is again a major target this season, along with next month’s Ballarat Gift carnival and the Victorian Track and Field Championships (under-18 200m).
Talia Martin will share the back mark of 6m in the Maryborough Women’s Necklace, 120m, on Sunday.
She will also contest the women’s 400m and make her debut in an open 200m.
Daniel Martin will defend his masters 120m and masters 300m titles, and run in the 70m.
