ATHLETES, officials and fans can mark Saturday, 11 March as the day the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival will be run.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Retreat Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one-day meet will be run throughout the afternoon and then under lights,\u201d Burnett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had great support from the City of Greater Bendigo and various sponsors to ensure the Gift tradition keeps rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Thousand was first contested in 1947 and been part of the city\u2019s sporting landscape for more than 70 years.<\/p>\n
When it was first run the Bendigo Thousand was the richest footrace in the country.<\/p>\n
The Thousand became a fixture of the Bendigo International Madison carnival in 1972.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Madison carnival to not be run in 2021.<\/p>\n
Although the Madison was off again last year, the Bendigo Gift was contested at Flora Hill.<\/p>\n
Chris Vi raced from the 8.75-metre mark and won the 100-metre dash in 10.22 seconds.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s 100-metre champion was Tiana Shillito in 11.31 from the 11.25-metre mark.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to the Tom Flood Sports Centre infield, home of the Madison, have again forced this year\u2019s cycling classic to be abandoned.<\/p>\n
The Victorian Athletic League, home of professional running in the state, was determined the Bendigo Gift would continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a few ideas the VAL have for the Bendigo meet which will be discussed in greater detail across the next couple of weeks,\u201d Burnett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gift distance could be 100 metres, or may be 200 metres.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither way the Bendigo Gift is on, and that\u2019s incredibly important to many in athletics circles, not just in Bendigo, but right across Victoria, and interstate.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s Retreat Road. \u201cThis one-day meet will be run throughout […]<\/p>\n