Stawell Gift

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The Stawell Gift is Australia's oldest and richest short distance running race. It is run over every Easter weekend, with the main race finals on the holiday Monday, at Central Park, Stawell in the Grampian Mountains district of western Victoria. The race is run on grass over 120 metres, with competitors handicapped according to their form.

1 History
2 Format
3 Records
4 External links
5 References

[edit] History

The first Stawell Gift was in 1878, as a fun race between miners at the end of the gold rush. It has been raced every year since, except for four years during the Second World War. Originally it was the townspeople putting together an entertainment package to happen over Easter, complete with 'special trains' to the event. Today it is the most prestigious footrace in Australia, with a $35,000AUD first prize. The event is sponsored by Australia Post and the finals are televised live around Australia.

[edit] Format

On the Easter Saturday there are 24 heats, with the winner of each heat going through to the semi finals, and the fastest runners making it to the final.

The Gift is run on a grass track in front of the 100 year-old Stawell Grandstand, and the athletes run in lanes that are separated by lane ropes.

The idea of the handicap system is that all runners would thoeretically cross the line at the same time. The handicapper works out what mark or handicap the runner will have according to their previous performances in the sprint, currently the most a runner may be handicapped is 11 metres.

The handicapping system usually ends up pitting local runners against international professionals.

Gambling is allowed in the venue, and there is an extensive Bookmaker's compound.