PLANS are gathering pace to run the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival this March.<\/p>\n
Although the Bendigo International Madison carnival is off because of upgrades to the Tom Flood Sports Centre infield, athletics officials are keen to keep the Bendigo Gift tradition rolling.<\/p>\n
Athletics Bendigo Region president Craig Burnett said plans for the Gift meet on 11 March were progressing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are doing all we can to ensure the Bendigo Gift will be run this year,\u201d Burnett said. \u201cA key factor for any carnival is sponsorship.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are negotiating with City of Greater Bendigo, a major backer of last year\u2019s carnival, to keep the Bendigo Gift going.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had terrific support from various sponsors to ensure last year\u2019s Bendigo Gift would be on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bendigo Thousand was first run in 1947 and it\u2019s been part of the city\u2019s sporting landscape for more than 70 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since 1972 the Bendigo Thousand, now Gift, is a feature event on what is now the Bendigo International Madison cycling\/athletics carnival.<\/p>\n
COVID meant the BIM did not take place in 2021 of 2022.<\/p>\n
An upgrade to the grass infield delayed by last year\u2019s floods has meant the 50th running of the Bendigo International Madison will not occur until 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur plans are to run a one-day meet from early the afternoon through the night,\u201d Burnett said of the Labour Day holiday weekend meet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIdeally racing would be on a grass track, but the Flora Hill track is available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s carnival was run at the Bendigo Regional Athletics Complex in Flora Hill\u2019s Retreat Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a superb turn-out and we are confident of drawing more competitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the athletes who travel to Bendigo, but the various connections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bendigo Gift is also a crucial part of the build-up to the Stawell Gift later in the Victorian Athletic League season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burnett\u2019s links to athletics stretch more than 40 years and his children, Lonain and Kirrily are still racing on the Victorian Athletic League circuit.<\/p>\n
A high of last year\u2019s meet at Flora Hill was Lonain\u2019s victory in the 800 meters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PLANS are gathering pace to run the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival this March. Although the Bendigo International Madison carnival is off because of upgrades to the Tom Flood Sports Centre infield, athletics officials are keen to keep the Bendigo Gift tradition rolling. Athletics Bendigo Region president Craig Burnett said plans for the Gift meet on […]<\/p>\n