An event that was once one of the features of the Macedon Ranges sporting calendar is returning after an absence of more than 60 years.
Lancefield is gearing up to stage one of Victorian athletics major events.
The 2024 Bendigo Bank Lancefield Gift meeting will take place on Saturday, November 6.
Athletes and fans from Victoria and interstate are expected to converge on Lancefield for the Gift meeting, to be highlighted by the running of the richest men’s and women’s 400m races in the state.
They will carry $6000 in prize money, and the two 120 Gift metre sprints will each carry prize money of $5000.
Planning to revive the Lancefield Gift has been going on for several months, with the official launch function taking place at the half time interval in the senior football match at Lancefield Park on Saturday.
Local sporting enthusiast Chris Jolly initially generated the idea and ‘sounded out’ the Victorian Athletic League.
A seven-member organising committee headed by Gina Morgan, a former president of Lancefield Football Netball Club, is confident the ‘new’ Lancefield Gift will generate plenty of support.
“It’s exciting for Lancefield to be holding an event of this magnitude. To bring back something like this after so long is great, but to have it include the richest 400 metre race in Victoria in our very first year back is incredible,” Morgan said.
Lancefield Football Netball Club is keen to see the revived Gift meeting succeed and grow.
Achieving financial sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank’s Lancefield and Romsey branches has been very important.
Morgan said the event is expected to attract many people to the town.
“Early indications are that athletes should number in the hundreds and then they will bring their own support teams.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to show off Lancefield.”
STAWELL WINNER ON COMMITTEE
John Dinan, the youngster sprinter to ever win the famous Stawell Gift, is also on the organising committee.
Dinan spoke enthusiastically on Saturday, and his long and successful career in athletics should ensure the Lancefield meeting focuses on providing the best events for competitors.
“One of the really exciting aspects is that the finals will be run at night under lights. It will look spectacular.”
Dinan was a 20-year-old when he won the 1980 Stawell Gift, running off 5.5 metres.
He received $6500 in prize money. Stawell now offers $45,000 for the winner.
The organising committee comprises Morgan, Dinan. Jolly, Chris Dynon, Nicholas Walsh, Dylan Holden and Stephanie Wooster.
As well as the athletic events, there will be food, wine and entertainment.
Over the years, the Lancefield Gift has had a number of reincarnations.
The most successful version of the Lancefield Gift was in the late 1920s to early 1930s, when it was a sporting carnival held on St Patrick’s Day. Cycling events were also held.
Sponsorship for several events on the 2024 program are still available. Anyone interested in sponsoring a race should contact Dylan at djholden93@hotmail.com
