Bendigo Gift carnival confirmed

ATHLETES, officials and fans can mark Saturday, 11 March as the day the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival will be run.

A key figure in ensuring the Gift tradition rolls on, Craig Burnett said racing would again be at the Bendigo Regional Athletics Complex in Flora Hill’s Retreat Road.

“This one-day meet will be run throughout the afternoon and then under lights,” Burnett said.

“We have had great support from the City of Greater Bendigo and various sponsors to ensure the Gift tradition keeps rolling.”

The Bendigo Thousand was first contested in 1947 and been part of the city’s sporting landscape for more than 70 years.

When it was first run the Bendigo Thousand was the richest footrace in the country.

The Thousand became a fixture of the Bendigo International Madison carnival in 1972.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Madison carnival to not be run in 2021.

Although the Madison was off again last year, the Bendigo Gift was contested at Flora Hill.

Chris Vi raced from the 8.75-metre mark and won the 100-metre dash in 10.22 seconds.

The women’s 100-metre champion was Tiana Shillito in 11.31 from the 11.25-metre mark.

Upgrades to the Tom Flood Sports Centre infield, home of the Madison, have again forced this year’s cycling classic to be abandoned.

The Victorian Athletic League, home of professional running in the state, was determined the Bendigo Gift would continue.

“There are a few ideas the VAL have for the Bendigo meet which will be discussed in greater detail across the next couple of weeks,” Burnett said.

“The Gift distance could be 100 metres, or may be 200 metres.

“Either way the Bendigo Gift is on, and that’s incredibly important to many in athletics circles, not just in Bendigo, but right across Victoria, and interstate.”

For many athletes the Bendigo Gift will play a crucial part in the build-up to the Easter Stawell Gift on the weekend of 8 to 10 April at Central Park.