SURPRISE packet out-of-towner Mohamad Zeed has overcome excruciating pain to win the second annual City of Maribyrnong Gift.
The victory in the 120-metre final came at a severe cost to the Box Hill Athletic Club member, who tore a hamstring and remains in doubt for his pet 400m hurdles event at the Victorian state championships.
“My first reaction was not ‘great, I won it’. It was, ‘oh crap, I might have torn a hamstring’,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a shame, really, with the Vic champs coming up this week.”
Zeed was over the moon to take the honours in the main event.
The 28-year-old, who has dreams of representing Australia on the grand stage of the Commonwealth or Olympic Games, shocked himself with his success.
“God knows where it’s come from.
I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. All my training is focused towards the 400m hurdles, so to be running quick at this time of the year is a surprise. I’m extremely excited to have won.”
Zeed went into the event with a nothing-to-lose mentality.
His form in sprints at club level didn’t point to glory at Maribyrnong.
He has worked hard with coach and girlfriend Angela Phillips to get the most out of his running.
“We’re always there to watch and support each other,” Zeed said. “When I need it, she’ll tell me what I’m doing wrong.”
Zeed gave a thumbs-up to Gift organisers for the event scheduling and preparation of the track in
a week of atrocious weather and
said he hoped to defend his title next year.
– Lance Jenkinson
City of Maribyrnong Gift
70m Frontmarkers Mathew Pipczak Painting & Decorating Open: Morgan Deane
70m Backmarkers Tommy Weir Open: Matthew Hargreaves
120m RACV Under 20: Jimmie Gladman
120m Braybrook Sporting Club Women’s Open: Susan Sinclair
1600m VCCL Novice: Chris Bridge
1600m Sunshine Collectables Open: John Thomson
300m Swazza Transport Veterans/Women’s: Norman Maguire
120m City of Maribyrnong Gift: Mohamad Zeed
400m Summerhill Drafting Service Open: Peter O’Donnell
