Big names to attend Ballarat Gift

This weekend will see the Ballarat Athletic Club host the historic Ballarat Gift at the City Oval starting at 9am and finishing at 4pm both days. 

Athletes from all around Australia will be competing including the Men’s and Women’s 2021 Stawell Gift winners - Ed Ware and Hayle Orman. They will also be joined by all other winners and place getters of 2021. 

Michael Hanna from NSW, the 2020 Ballarat Gift winner returns, running off the mark of 2.25 meters. The Gift will also see a stronger contingent of local Ballarat athletes competing than previous years. 

City of Ballarat Councillor, Samantha McIntosh said this was yet another terrific event that came off the back of an action-packed summer sports calendar for Ballarat. 

“The City of Ballarat has a wonderful Events Strategy that has been very successful in supporting a host of large and small events across the city this summer,” Cr McIntosh said. 

“The City is extremely proud to be supporting the Ballarat Gift through its Tourism Events Grant Program and helping celebrate what is an historic race, attracting some of Australia’s best runners and hundreds of visitors to Ballarat over the carnival’s weekend of racing.”  

Starting in 1949 at the City Oval the 2022 Ballarat Gift marks 73 years of some of the most competitive sprint racing in the country. 

The 2022 Ballarat Gift will have 35 events with 800 athletes competing over the two days, starting with the Junior Dash for Sash to the Master's 120 meters and finishing off with the 4x200 stable relay on Sunday. 

President of the Ballarat Athletic Club, Andrew Hoffman said this is a tribute to the sport’s longevity and support from athletes of all levels, from the social runner whether young or old, male or female through to the serious competitor whose life is dedicated to being the fastest in the field. 

“The Ballarat Gift is a prestigious and fiercely contested race that could not go ahead without the backing of its sponsors and the City of Ballarat during these times and our committee are appreciative of everyone that has leant their support to make this great sports event happen,” he said. 

“I think we are in for a tremendous weekend of running.” 

For more information, visit www.ballaratgift.com.