The Ballarat Athletic Club strives above all else to increase awareness of and participation in the sport of athletics, through the staging and promotion of the annual Ballarat Gift carnival.The Club aims to deliver the most modern program, venue and marketing in the sport, and to maintain the Ballarat Gift’s standing as Australia’s second-richest and most anticipated professional running event, behind only Stawell.

On behalf of the Ballarat Athletic Club Committee I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all athletes coaches supporters and VAL officials who helped make our 2018 Ballarat Gift one of the best ever.
 
Thank you to all the Stawell starters and support crew and to our ace commentator Cartha McKerrow for your exciting race calls. Also to our main sponsor Freight Bar & Restaurant and Chris Sargent for your amazing ongoing support and to each and every other sponsor who without your contribution there would be no Ballarat Gift.
 
Thank you to the City of Ballarat on presenting the track in unbelievable condition lightning fast and a pleasure to race on. I can't remember seeing so many close finishes ever and the racing was fantastic.
 
Thanks to Mark Dobbyn and John Jones for your tireless efforts and everyone who helped the Victorian Dash For Cash run smoothly. For anyone I may have missed thanks for your help.
 
Hoping to see you all back in Ballarat in 2019.. 🙂

  

 "Winning the 2017 Ballarat Gift has been the most exciting achievement of my running career so far.

It reaffirmed for me that if you put your head down, stay humble and do the work with the right people around you then you can give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in your goals.

Through my short time as a pro runner I️ have consistently heard what a prestigious title and event that the Ballarat Gift is. It attracts the best athletes that compete in the pro circuit, so to cross that line in front was a dream come true. It is a one of a kind athletic event that shouldn’t be missed on the pro running calendar and I️ will definitely be back next year and every year after that.

2017 120m Freight Bar & Restaurant Ballarat Men's Gift winnerJason Nettlefold, trainined by Brett Robinson with Peter Emerson

 

"The Ballarat Gift has always held a pretty significant meaning for myself as an athlete, so to be able to take out the Women's Gift in 2017 was certainly one of the highlights of my professional running career.

Having my coach, Craig Mair, run and win the Gift in the same colour as I, 2 years prior made the win extra special for myself, my family and tight knit racing squad. The prestigious history of the race as well as the calibre of ladies in the final made it one of the races to remember for many years to come.

Not enough thanks can be given for the amount of hard work and dedication the Ballarat Athletic Club and sponsors, Mars, put into hosting this great weekend! It's always a highlight when there's Mars Bars waiting at the finish line."

2017 120m Mars Ballarat Women's Gift winner Keely Henderson with elated coach Craig Mair

I’ve been racing in pro running now for 13 years and the Ballarat Gift is one that I make sure not to miss!!! I was lucky enough to take home the sash for the Women’s 400m last year and it was the absolute highlight of my year. The track is always in top condition and the atmosphere is one of the best !!!

Laura-Jane Hilditch

 

Bethany Jones: winner of the Dash For Cash U9-U12 100m sums up what it's all about.

 

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