Canberra sprint queen Melissa Breen has spent her entire life chasing her dreams on the track, but the fastest woman in Australian history says the Stawell Gift is the one race that can change someone's life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Breen will become the hunter when she starts from the back in Australia's richest and oldest race on Saturday and this time it's a battle like she's never been in.
For the first time in the race's 134-year history, Breen and her fellow competitors are racing for a $40,000 winner's cheque.
In the past Breen had to race against men to even think about pocketing that sort of cash.
But as her Rio Olympic Games goal gets closer, the Stawell Gift has revamped its prize structure to make sure the women can take home as much as the men.
"It's still a bit surreal to be honest, that we [women] are actually racing for that sort of money," Breen said.
"There's parity in the sport ... to get $40,000 in one hit, it's unbelievable. It can change someone's life in 11 seconds.
"That's special, the fact that running can change someone's life is pretty awesome. Whoever wins on Easter Monday, their life will change and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Breen has relied heavily on personal sponsors and donations to fund her career, which costs about $70,000 per year to continue her development.
She won the Stawell Gift in 2012. But back then her prize was $2500 compared to the $40,000 on offer for the men.
Australia Post has come on board this year to match the men's prize pool of $60,000, a massive increase from the $6000 that was on offer last year.
It would be a big boost a year after Breen broke a 20-year 100 metre record but still couldn't secure significant Athletics Australia funding.
Breen has the toughest task of all as she starts behind every competitor and tries to get past them one by one.
The 24-year-old Australian 100 metres record-holder isn't fazed.
"It does light the fire when you see everyone ahead of you," Breen said.
"But I quite enjoy running from the back, I feel like I'm in control. I'd much rather be at the back than at the front, like I was against the men when you can't see what's coming, you can just hear it.
"I feel like I can execute and gain on people without getting too caught up in it. It's a bit daunting if they're 14 metres in front of you, but I'm at the back for a reason and I feel lucky that I'm off scratch."
Breen won her third 100 metres national title last weekend and is also preparing for a trip to Japan before the world championships in Beijing in August.
Breen didn't advance beyond the heats at the Stawell Gift last year and knows the peril of Gift racing where handicaps are king.
"It's quite disheartening at times when you run an awesome time, but you don't get out of the heat," Breen said.
"But that's part of pro running, it can be frustrating. But I am the national champ and anything I do at Stawell is just a bonus."
Breen will race against training partners Lauren Wells and Sarah Blizzard, who finished second at the Stawell Gift last year.
Coach Matt Beckenham said Breen was well positioned to launch a charge for the title, despite her handicap.
"If they ran as fast as they did in the race last year, Mel would have to run crazily fast to get it," Beckenham said.
"She's in great shape ... for her to be competitive they have to be about 13.5 seconds.
"She's running faster than she was at this time last year and running better than when she won it in 2012. You'd hope she could run about the 13.8 seconds."
