SEVERAL new backers have played a big part in the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival being run this Saturday at the Retreat Road track in Flora Hill.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s more than $15,000 in prizemoney up for grabs on one of the most prestigious events on the Victorian Athletics League circuit.<\/p>\n
Stars who will take to the track include Olympic representative Kendra Hubbard, Winter Olympics bobsleigh competitor Kiara Reddingius, and reigning Stawell Gift champion Harrison Kerr.<\/p>\n
Also in action will be Bella Pasquali, a national under-17 400-metre titleholder, rising star Luke Stevens, and Ballarat\u2019s Tiana Shillito – the Bendigo Gift women\u2019s champion in 2019, 20 and 22.<\/p>\n
The Gift, which was first run as the Bendigo Thousand in 1947 and been a key feature of the Bendigo International Madison carnival since 1972 was not run two years ago.<\/p>\n
Distance for Bendigo Gift was usually 120 metres, but decreased to 100 metres last year at the Flora Hill venue.<\/p>\n
Athletics Bendigo president Craig Burnett and several other leading athletics identities have played a crucial role in ensuring the Bendigo Gift tradition keeps rolling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe change to the Gift distance was something the VAL was keen to try,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are not many 200 metre races in the pro athletics season.\u201d<\/p>\n
New partners for this Bendigo Gift include AASB Accounting as sponsor of the women\u2019s 200 metres, and Edwards Providore to back the women\u2019s 400 metres.<\/p>\n
City of Greater Bendigo is sponsor of the men\u2019s 200 metres while the open 1600 metres is backed by A.L. Parker Electrical.<\/p>\n
Other sponsors include Maxx Bakery, Mulqueen Finance, and Strath Hill Butchery.<\/p>\n
Best known for his deeds on the basketball court for Bendigo Braves, Andrew Arundell from AASB Accounting said the business was keen to support the Bendigo Gift.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received a call from Corey Mulqueen about being a sponsor for the carnival,\u201d Arundell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe links were already strong through my cousin, Matt McDonough being VAL president, and three of my four children who really enjoy Little Athletics.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big part of Corey\u2019s message was about keeping the Bendigo Gift tradition going.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a chance to see some Olympians and others who have run at national and state championships on a track not far from your own home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greg Edwards from Edwards Providore said the Kennington Village-based cafe and gift shop was always keen to support the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have chipped in as sponsors of various events across Bendigo,\u201d Edwards said. \u201cIt\u2019s all about locals helping locals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other highlights on the Bendigo Gift card include the Sean Quilty Memorial masters 800 metres at 7.30pm.<\/p>\n
The race honours the 1996 Atlanta Olympian, three-time world championship representative, and silver medallist in the marathon at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s racing starts at 1pm and it\u2019s free entry for spectators.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SEVERAL new backers have played a big part in the Bendigo Gift athletics carnival being run this Saturday at the Retreat Road track in Flora Hill. There\u2019s more than $15,000 in prizemoney up for grabs on one of the most prestigious events on the Victorian Athletics League circuit. Stars who will take to the track […]<\/p>\n