It was a hot evening in front of a fair-sized crowd who braved sweltering conditions.

Connolly won her heat in the fastest time of 14 minutes and 33 seconds, coming from 7.50m handicap to just defeat Kim Letton, second and Marnie Farrows, third.

In the prestigious 120m open mens Whyalla Gift, Damien Hicks from Adelaide was the victor in the time of 12.52.

Ali Saliu came second and Tim Johnson third.

The event's main surprise was the elimination of last year's winner Aaron Harrison in the first heat.

Because of the extreme weather conditions, all events were put back at least an hour with a few athletes suffering from heat distress.

Little Athletes was cancelled in the afternoon session and did a modified session in the mid evening.

After the first four heats of the men's gift were ran, Kostya Khudoshin won the 800m open in the time of 1 minute and 51 seconds, from Bryce Watkins and James Boden.

Then the women's 120m heats were ran, with Connolly being the fastest qualifier, shortening her favouritism to almost unbackable odds, despite her back mark handicap.

The 300m men and women finals were ran after the gifts, which were the most exciting events of the night and brought the crowd to their feet.

The locals cheered for the Mort Daly Running Foundation 120m finals in the under 17 sprint.

West Whyalla footballer Nathan Covino won from Trent O'Loughlin and South Whyalla junior Lourens Victor in third, who literally threw himself over the line.

Connolly almost got the double in the women's final as she came from a long distance back to almost catch the winner Zoe Kennedy, 38.33.

Conolly finished just short to be placed second, with Lauren Hyde finishing third.

Saving the best until last, the Men's final was won by Clay Watkins in the time of 38.33.

Watkins powered home from a long way back to win in the impressive time of 33.86, from Damien Tohl (second) and Ben Koschade third, in what was the race of the night to many

All up, despite the sweltering conditions, it was a great night of good, fast running and once the weather got a little cooler, there was a good size crowd in attendance, which would have pleased the organisers somewhat.