40 years ago – Perry, Singleton, Dinan all featured but Dallas O’Brien took the prize

Date: 5th March 2023

The Stawell Gift was in Dallas O’Brien’s blood so it was only a matter of time. We sat down with Dallas to recap the run of his life 40 years ago and what he’s been up to since.

Congratulations on the 40-year milestone! How do you feel looking back on the win in 1983? 

Thanks. It’s amazing to think it was 40 years ago. It has been part of my life forever. My dad was a successful pro runner, making two Stawell Gift finals (coming 3rd and 5th) and winning a number of races, then he was a Steward with the VAL for many years. My brother Terry was also a pro-runner and got me started. So pro running and Stawell has always been in my family and my blood. I think deep down I always had a burning ambition to win Stawell. I guess winning it was a lifelong dream, and the dream continues every year, being a winner of an iconic Aussie sporting event. 

Can you talk us through the race and your thoughts leading up to it?

I had a long lead into 1983 Stawell. I was fortunate enough to go over to Scotland to be trained by George McNeill and compete at the Highland Games and the famous Powderhall Gift. Unfortunately, I ripped my hamstring badly in the December, so returned to Australia injured, so all my plans to have a serious crack at Stawell at Easter, were very much up in the air. 

However, with a lot of physio and help and drama at the Bendigo Gift, I made it to Stawell. I was one of the favourites, from my past form and trip to Scotland, and of course all the chatter around the traps. I drew the equal favourite in my heat, an American, Al Green. Fortunately, I was able to get over him with a pretty relaxed run and reasonable time. The semi turned out too easy in hindsight, probably giving me a false sense that the final was mine for the taking. In the final I was on the same mark (6m) as the Australian beach sprint champion, Paul Singleton. I got a poor start, and he was off like a rocket, probably spacing me by a metre. Fortunately, my strength and stride were able to reel him in right on the finish line, by the barest of margins. It was an amazing feeling, my whole family and all my mates from East Bentleigh were there to celebrate.

You’ve had a successful career in sport, did winning the Stawell Gift help you get started on that path and if so how? 

I was a P.E teacher when I won, so that was a lot of fun. I then got a job at IMG, the largest and most successful international sports management company in the world. I got that job on my own merit, with Stawell not really registering on their radar. Although I did get a lot of help from a friend who was working there at the time. 20 years later I was appointed CEO of Athletics Australia. Being a Stawell Gift winner certainly helped there, but more importantly my experience in sports management at IMG more so. So, I have been fortunate to have been involved in sport and major events all of my life. 

What do you think makes the Stawell Gift so special?

It’s long history, it’s tradition, being a very Australian event, set in a very Australian country town, the betting, the handicap system, it’s quite unique around the world. 

Do you still go to Stawell/watch it every Easter? 

I go when I can, although I missed many when I was managing IMG events around that time of the year. I still get a buzz walking into the ground and love watching all the events, catching up with a few old pros I ran against is always enjoyable. 

Do you still run? 

No, my body doesn’t like me running, so I cycle a lot, regular gym work, swimming, walking and more recently golf…so yeh I have always remained active and look after myself. 

What are you doing now?  

I am a man of leisure now, or another way of looking at it, a professional athlete, getting paid to ‘play sport’.

Any other thoughts? 

I would like to mention my old running coach, the late John Hirst, who got me started on my pro running career and guided me in in so many ways throughout my life, as a great friend and coach. 

From what I can see from the outside, I think pro running and the Stawell Gift are in a very healthy position, with a heap of young talent, and the addition of many girls to the sport has helped immensely. I am proud to have played my small part in this great Australian sport. 

1983 Stawell Gift Results – Total Prizemoney $25000

  1. Dallas O’Brien   East Bentleigh VIC    12.22s  6m
  2. Paul Singleton   Jilliby NSW                              6m
  3. John McGill       North Geelong VIC                 7m
  4. Chris Perry         Malvern VIC                            3.5m
  5. Bruce Gulliver   Tenambit NSW                       6.5m


Video of race: https://youtu.be/euiuJR1TH_A



  

 

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