Three hip operations and torn discs in his back forced Burbidge to take a five-year break from athletics, before returning to the sport this season.

The hard work was all worth it on Saturday when the Canberra-based runner took out the Temora Golden Gift from a mark of nine metres.

“In the past year I’ve started getting some decent training under my belt,” he said.

“It’s great to be back, and even better to win.”

Burbidge won his heat and semi-final before powering home in 12.25 seconds in the final, ahead of Rob Hanna from Connells Point and O’Connor’s John Jakeman.

While it has been a long road for Burbidge, he said he had been keen to regain form after battling his injuries.

“Training was probably not the hardest thing, it’s more getting through the injuries and all the physio and rehab,” he said.

Burbidge credited his parents, physiotherapists, surgeons and doctors for his impressive return.

But Burbidge’s remarkable recovery was not only evident in his Gift success.

He backed up less than half-an-hour later to take out the 70-metre Springdale Handicap, despite being penalised a quarter of a metre for winning the Gift.

Originally from Albury, Burbidge now trains with Matt Beckenham in Canberra.

Beckenham’s stable of athletes has had a successful season, already claiming $20,000 in prize money before Saturday’s event.

Burbidge said he was confident going into the Gift that his training was helping him move in the right direction, although he was not expecting to win.

“I knew going on what I was doing at training and my mark that I’d have a good chance,” he said.

Wagga’s Grant Billingham, also training under Beckenham, qualified for the semi-finals of the Temora Golden Gift and the Springdale Handicap, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.