The Origins of the Event

Following the successful staging of the Sydney University Track Classic in 2005 to celebrate the univerisity's sesqui-centenary, Athletics NSW decided that a locally driven elite event was a neccessary ingredient on the domestic athletics scene.

This coincided with Athletics Australia promoting a series of events (National Series Meets) as a lead up to their Grand Prix events (or A-Series as they were then know).

Subsequently the Sydney Track Classic was given National Series status by Athletics Australia.

The 2006 event saw a solid foundation set for the event, with a multitude of qualifying performances set for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

In 2007, under the sponsorship of Resi Mortgage Corporation, Athletics NSW were able to offer $5000 in prizemoney. In a unique way of distributing the prizemoney, performances were ranked against the IAAF Scoring Tables. The athletes responded enthusiastically to this intiative, with Chris Noffke leaping to 8.05m (wind-assisted) in the long jump and Lisa Corrigan making a breakthrough performance to defeat Tamsyn Lewis over 800m.

In 2008 , with the support of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Athletics NSW are able to offer over $12,000 in prizemoney. The meet will attract most of Australia's top athletes, as they prepare for the Sydney Grand Prix (16 February), Melbourne Grand Prix (21 February) and the all important Australian Championships (28 February - 1 March), which double as the Selection Trial for the Beijing Olympic Games.