Central Park Stawell

  • Profile

    Central Park Stawell is the home of the Stawell Gift, run annually each Easter.

    Stawell is located in the Northern Grampians region of Victoria, 237km north-north-west of Melbourne.

    The Stawell Gift dates back to 1878 and has been conducted at Central Park since 1898. It is regarded as Australia’s richest footrace, with the 120m Gift the main events on the program. Participants are handicapped based on their ability, with slower athletes given a larger ‘mark’ than faster athletes, representing how far less than the advertised distance they will run. The Stawell Gift has a unique atmosphere, including a bookies ring, and is embraced by the town of 6,000, with the population swelling each Easter. Plaques identifying previous Gift winners are part of the footpath in the main street.

    The venue features two sprint straights on the in field of the track, run in the opposite direction to circular events. The circular track features a short home straight, with a sweeping back straight.

    The venue is known for its pristine grass track surface, which is prepared for use once a year for athletics. Outside of the Stawell Gift, Central Park is used for local cricket and AFL matches. Preparation of the track generally commences in February each year, with other sporting activities ceasing after the early March Labour Day Public Holiday. For the two weeks prior to the Gift, the track is rolled daily, producing a firm, uniform surface underfoot.

    The venue is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, with its cast iron gates and grandstands considered significant Federation architecture, as well as the historical and social significance the venue has to the state of Victoria. The Stawell Gift Hall of Fame is located at the venue, while the event was recognised in 2019 by World Athletics Heritage Plaque.

    The venue is managed by Northern Grampians Shire Council.

    Copy of Blue and Red American Football Logo 2

    The venue was the runner-up in Australia’s Favourite Grass Track competition in 2021.

     

     

     

     

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  • Club/Centre

    Stawell Athletic Club

  • Notable Performances
    Notable Performances:

    Each Easter the venue hosts the Stawell Gift.

    Notable performances include:

    • Jean-Louis Ravelomanantsoa from Madagascar became the first man win the event from scratch, in 12.0 seconds in 1975.
    • The fastest winning times recorded in the men’s gift being 11.6 seconds, by W.I. Howard in 1967 (5.75 yards handicap) and I.A. Miller in 1968 (9.75 yards handicap).
    • Josh Ross won the 2005 Gift from scratch, become the second man to do so after Ravelomanantsoa. It was Ross’ second win, after claiming victory in 2003. He became just the third man to have won the Gift twice, after Bill Howard (1966 and 1967) and Barry Foley (1970 and 1972).
    • Cathy Freeman won the women’s 400m handicap from scratch in 1996, passing the entire field and withstanding an elbow from a competitor as she entered the home straight, in a sensational 50.54 seconds.
  • Spikes

    The following spikes are most suitable to use on this track:

  • Social

  • Traditional Owner
    Djab Wurrung
  • Upcoming Meets

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  • Map

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  • Facilities
    Track Length: 400m
    Number of lanes – circular: 8
    Number of Lanes – Straight: 8
    Water Jump: No
    Long Jump Pits: 0
    High Jump Fans: 0
    Pole Vault Pits: 0
    Discus Circles: 0
    Shot Put Circles: 0
    Javelin Runways: 0
    Hammer Circles: 0
    Lighting: Yes
    Seating: Two covered grandstands, wooden bench seating inside fence and grass hill
  • Reviews

    1 Review on “Central Park Stawell”

    Overall:
    • Jerermy
      4 years ago

      Central Park, Stawell, a surface better than most golf courses and the biggest Athletics event in country, what more do you want!

      Reply ↓

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  • Track Etiquette

    Do’s and Dont’s of Track Etiquette


    Athletics tracks are shared spaces that cater to a variety of training disciplines, from distance running to sprinting, hurdling, and field events. With so many athletes using the track simultaneously, good etiquette is essential to ensure safety, fairness, and longevity of the facility. Based on insights from experienced Australian athletics experts, here’s a comprehensive guide to track etiquette, highlighting areas of consensus and some points of contention. >> Read more



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