2021 ATHLETE HANDICAPS ANNOUNCED

Date: 25th March 2021

The Victorian Athletic League has announced the handicaps for all athletes competing in this year’s Powercor Stawell Gift Carnival, held over Easter from Saturday April 3 to Monday April 5.  Athletes can find their handicaps here: https://www.stawellgift.com/on-the-track/athlete-handicaps-2021/

Nearly 600 athletes have been given handicaps in the events which comprise the prestigious Powercor Stawell Gift.. The fields for the men’s and women’s 120m Gifts include defending champions Dhruv Rodrigues Chico and Lexi Loizou, and 16 year old Queensland state champion for 100m and 200m, Torrie Lewis.

A new race has been added to the calendar this year, the AIA Vitality 3200m Invitational featuring some of Australia’s top distance runners including Stewart McSweyn, Brett Robinson, Jordan Williamz and Matthew Ramsden.

“It’s so encouraging to see the strong numbers continuing at Easter. It’s exciting because of what we had to deal with in 2020 and leading up to Easter,” said Stephanie Spence, Chair of Stawell Gift Event Management. “With all the State border rules restricting travel, and the number of key athletics events including the Australian National Athletic Championships changing dates, we are thrilled with the number of runners joining us for the pinnacle of Australian pro running events next week.”

Reigning champion Dhruv Rodgrigues Chico – the Victorian State 100m and 200m Champion – said of his 0.75m mark; “Being a backmarker is not going to be easy, but I’m definitely up for the challenge.”

If he was to achieve back to back Stawell Gifts he would be in historic company with only Bill Howard who managed this feat in 1966 and 67.

2018 Men’s Gift winner Jacob Despard said of his 1.25m: “Probably a bit far back for me to be a chance but I’ll give it a crack!”

Gerrard Keating, coach of Torrie Lewis and himself an Australian champion runner, said of Torrie’s 0.5m handicap: “Exactly what I’d thought it would be. It’s an honour to be on such a mark at such a young age, it really is.”

Tickets can be purchased online in advance of the Stawell Gift here. Adult concession tickets start from just $15.

The 2021 Powercor Stawell Gift will be broadcast on Channel 7 from 11.30am AEST on Monday April 5.  http://www.stawellgift.com/news-media/tv-broadcast/

 

 

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