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TRACK marking will be getting underway at the home of Stawell Gift on Thursday afternoon, as organisers and volunteers prepare for a weekend of athletic spectacles drawing up to 15,000 visitors over the three days of competition.
Northern Grampians Shire Council staff have been hard at work on the grounds at Central Park in Stawell, rolling and mowing the track area all week to ensure that the annual foot races would be held on the best possible track surface.
From Thursday afternoon, the track is turned over to the Stawell Athletic Club for track marking and to make the final preparations for the three days of action, getting started on Saturday, March 26.
Stawell Athletic Club spokesman Robert Irvine said the volunteers and committee were hard at work, pedalling steadily away, to make sure everything ran smoothly.
“It’s so rewarding, we all love to see the running. That’s why we are all here,” Mr Irvine said.
“It has a really good vibe and there’s always a great show.”
The annual Woolworths Stawell Gift is known for its top level racing, drawing the best athletes from around Victoria and interstate.
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This year’s event will also draw hundreds of Little Athletes to compete across the three days of competition, featuring up-and-coming runners from across the Grampians and Wimmera as well as across the state and beyond.
Mr Irvine said the numbers of young people nominating to race in the distances ranging from 100m to 1600m events was very encouraging for the sport.
“We’re expecting 400 Little Athletics kids to run, which is very exciting, because they are the sport’s next generation,” he said.
While celebrating athletic prowess and speed lies at the heart of the Stawell Gift event, the carnival’s organisers have always been aware that its success leads to real benefits for the businesses and communities of Stawell and surrounds.
“We want to see the event continue to thrive and continue to contribute to the local economy,” Mr Irvine said.
“We hear anecdotally that businesses are very excited about this year, about the Gift and everything else that’s happening in town. We have heard that accommodation is very tight in Stawell, and Halls Gap businesses are ready for a busy weekend.
“I encourage everyone to come along and have a look. It’s a wonderful carnival.”
The weather is expected to cooperate to ensure the weekend’s success. After possible showers on Thursday, the weather is expected to hold fine throughout the three days of competition and, more importantly, there will be no heat wave. Competitors and spectators alike can enjoy days in the low-20s.
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