Geelong Gift to return to Waterfront

THE state’s best runners will make Geelong’s Steampacket Gardens their racetrack with hundreds entered into the 2023 Geelong Gift tomorrow (Saturday, November 18).

This year’s Geelong Gift, again taking place on the City’s Waterfront will involve athletes from all over Victoria and will again be a feature on the Victorian Athletic League (VAL) calendar.

VAL executive officer Taylah Perry says this year’s event is expected to bring on a big turnout based on membership numbers alone.

“After huge success in the 22-23 season the VAL are excited to be back on the Geelong Waterfront with over 300 athletes entered to compete across the day,” Perry said.

“Our membership numbers are well up on this time last season and it’s great sign of a successful season ahead, we’ve seen massive growth in our junior, female and masters athlete numbers.”

The action will run from 11am through to 6.30pm and will feature 16 races, including the headline Geelong Gift finals, Masters races, and the Junior Gift.

The Geelong Gift has also received entries from national level athletes, Commonwealth Games representatives and several Stawell Gift winners – the Geelong Junior Gift will also return in 2023.

2022 Stawell Gift winner Harrison Kerr in the Men’s Gift and Australian representative Jess Payne in the Women’s Gift are household names spectators will have their eyes on.

“The Geelong Gift is a standout event on the VAL calendar and is enjoyed by so many due to its unique location, no other event on the calendar is held on such a small space and with waterfront views,” Perry said.

“The location really adds to the event experience and it’s fantastic that locals and visitors to Geelong are able to see the event for free and join in on the event atmosphere.

“We’re extremely grateful for our 2023 Geelong Gift sponsors, Superboost, The Gas People, Harper Group, Geelong Orthopaedics, Masters High Performance Coaching, Geelong Cross Country, Watkins Racing Group and Harding Hardware Belmont – without them the event would not be possible.”

For more on the Geelong Gift, head to val.org.au or the “Victorian Athletic League” page on Facebook.