AN INTERSTATE entrant who took up competitive running only five years ago has taken out the 2008 Keilor Gift.

Homebush Bay sprinter Iain Macfarlane is the second New South Wales competitor in as many years to defy a predominantly Victorian field to win the 120m handicap in 12.48 seconds.

Ringwood’s Scott Mace ran in second with 12.61 seconds, while Caroline Springs resident Liam Shepherd was third 0.03 seconds later.

Nearly 100 sprinters lined up for a chance to take out the $5000 booty, including 2007 winner Daniel Sammut, 2006 Stawell Gift winner Adrian Mott and Nigerian Olympic medallist Bola Lawal.

All three lucked out in the heats to miss out on a finals spot.

The win comes a week after the 28-year-old recorded a 0.11-second personal best in the 200m at the New South Wales state titles.

Macfarlane, who placed third in the 2007 Stawell Gift final, said the victory is a good indication of his form in the lead-up to this year’s Stawell carnival.

“Obviously we have our season up (in NSW) but this is a great carnival in the lead-up to Stawell so it’s a great gift to come down to and test your mettle and find out where you’re at,” he said.

The sprinter admitted he was hesitant to wear the favourite tag punters placed on him, but was pleased nonetheless.

“I don’t like being favourite. It just puts a little bit of pressure on you…I prefer not to be favourite but at the same time its kind of a nice feeling.”

Macfarlane turned to competitive running after a back injury five years ago ruined his rugby union career with the University of NSW.

In other events, Lawal avenged his lost Gift hopes with a win in the 70m invitational skins, Ballarat’s Patricia Andison was victorious in the women’s 120m Gift and Laurence O’Toole defended his title in the Australian Hard Hitting Woodchopping Championship to win for the fourth consecutive year.

The bleachers-turned-makeshift stage also saw Keilor Little Athletics star Maggie-May Quinlan awarded Junior Sports Star of the Year.