Tamsyn Manou (formerly Lewis) will compete at the Australia Post Stawell Gift carnival for the final time. Picture: KERRI KINGSTON
STAWELL - One of Stawell's perennial favourites, Tamsyn Manou (formerly Lewis), will run at Central Park for the final time in 2013.
A long time supporter of the Australia Post Stawell Gift festival, Manou first made the journey to Central Park in 1994 and has missed competing just three years since.
This year will mark her 17th appearance, with the 34-year-old set to compete in the 120 metre State of Victoria Strickland Family Women's Gift and the 400 metre Endura Lorraine Donnan Women's Handicap events.
Her best result came back in 2000 when she won the women's 120m Gift.
She was the runner up in the same event in 2009.
Though she has never taken out a victory over her more fancied events, the 400m and 800m, her consistent rank of backmarker has also done little to stop Manou coming back and competing in these distances over the journey.
"Stawell is one of my favourite meets in the domestic calendar. Even when I haven't competed I've been every year since 1994, except for one year," Manou said.
"The atmosphere and the crowd are what set Stawell apart.
"You go to Stawell every Easter and there's a crowd and they're cheering and they're vocal.
"It takes the pressure off the backmarker because people don't judge you so much on the times, they judge you on how much you catch up.
"Having spent a lot of my career in the 800 metres in Australia out the front, that's exciting.
"You find yourself lifting and doing ridiculous things on that track because you have to catch them."
Manou also praised her fellow competitors at Stawell, saying the fellowship amongst other runners was unlike anything she has experienced.
Coming to the end of a celebrated career that commenced as a 15-year-old at the 2004 Commonwealth Games, Manou has amassed an astounding 17 national titles over the 800m, 400m and 400m hurdles.
Stawell Athletic Club president Scotney Hayter said that Tamsyn has long been a favourite at Central Park.
"While her running ability has enthralled spectators at Stawell for many years, it is as much her lively personality and friendliness that has won her numerous fans.
"Always smiling, Tamsyn is particularly popular among the younger age groups, never too busy to pose for a photo or have a chat," Hayter said.
