TODAY: Sprint to settle police rivalry

It might not stop the nation — or even Hedland for that matter — but it is the race that stops its participants, local police say.

It is Hedland’s own Stawell Gift, a 100m footrace in which local coppers cast aside their uniforms and turn to athletics to settle office disputes.

And while it might sound informal and just a laugh, the race’s first edition last year was born out of a fierce rivalry.

It started when former South Hedland officer Hafiz “Speedy Gonzales” Shaw claimed he had left Mike “Kiwi Lightning” Charlesworth for dead in a footrace.

“There was anecdotal evidence that (Speedy) had overtaken Kiwi in a footrace with an offender last year,” Sen. Sgt Snashall explained.

“So it started as a joke between (these) two ... arguing on who could catch a crook quicker.”

However, when the two officers finally faced off in a one-on-one sprint, the matter was quickly settled.

“It was an emphatic victory ... for Kiwi Lightning,” Sen. Sgt Snashall said.

“There is no way in the world that the other officer ... could have possibly beaten Kiwi.”

Yet, while last year’s inaugural race settled one debate, it also started a new one.

A smug Kiwi Lightning has been bragging ceaselessly about his victory ever since.

To shut Kiwi up, six South Hedland officers, including Sen. Sgt “Last Legs” Snashall, have so far put their names forward to be a part of the second police sprint, today, 4.30pm, at the South Hedland Senior High School oval.

While Sen. Sgt Last Legs is considered a rank outsider, station bookies had seen officer Andrew “Strawberry Blond” Hussey as Kiwi’s biggest threat for the title until a knee injury playing local footy led to him being scratched.

Now station bookies have installed Shane “McDreamy” Byers and new officer Alex “Ability Unknown” Neeling as Kiwi’s most likely challengers.

Sen. Sgt Snashall has also invited Port Hedland and Marble Bar police to field their best runners.

“I am hoping one of these younger officers will be able to knock Kiwi off and put him in his place,” Sen. Sgt Snashall said.

While the race is largely a matter to settle office pride, the public are welcome to come and cheer-on the participants.

It means local criminals can also pop down to scout out their opposition for when they next have to flee a crime — but should they be worried?

“I reckon there is about four officers there that they will be a little bit worried about, they are pretty quick,” Sen. Sgt Snashall said.