Parkdale Gift 2021 HUGE News

The Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift Lid is off!

The Parkdale Gift Committee and Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale are excited to announce that Australia’s athletes road to the Tokyo Olympics will be on show at the Parkdale Gift on Saturday 6th February 2021 at Gerry Green Reserve Parkdale.
In what will arguably Australia’s best distance athletes on show they will race for the richest prize money for distance in Australia.
The Bendigo Community Bank Men’s 800m worth $3000 will feature Australian record holder over 800m Joseph Deng who smashed the 50-year-old Australian 800m set by gold medalist Ralph Doubell at altitude at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics record in 2018 with a blistering 1:44.21. His training partner Peter Bol with a PB of 1:44.56 are set to be challenged by NZL athlete 5th place Commonwealth Games finalist Brad Mathas and other rising Australian stars include Jeff Riseley, Jack Lynn and Adam Spencer.

Not to be outdone Australia’s best sprinters are expected to sprint to the finish and share in the Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift which is worth $3000 for both Men and Women. Stawell Gift winners Dhruv Rodrigues-Chico, Issac Dunmall along with Alexia Loizou and her stable mates Fia Figeria, Kysha Praclak and former Parkdale winner Ebony Lane will be featuring at Parkdale.

The future of sprinting in the Bendigo Community Bank Junior Gifts for Men and Women Gift will be worth $500 each.

Parkdale Branch Manager Robert Tracey said “The Community Bank Parkdale would again like to welcome back the Parkdale Gift and pledge our support for the 4th year running as its major sponsor. The Parkdale Gift has provided a great stage for local and interstate athletes to perform at the highest level, bringing great entertainment to our beautiful beachside suburb. Community Bank Parkdale was established 21 years ago and has continued to be here for our community. In a year of difficult times, now more than ever, it is important that we support our community and our Parkdale Community Bank branch is leading the way. We look forward to another great Gift lead by Tim Mason and hope it provides a great day of entertainment for all. So come down and support this great event and don’t forget, if you wish to also support your community through your banking, give us a call on 9587 6500.“

If you wish to compete against the best athletes in Australian and International athletes then contact the Victorian Athletic League. If you have never competed in the Professional Circuit - now’s your chance - There’s a two meet permit available for $20 for new athletes.
Contact the VAL office - https://www.val.org.au/AboutUs/ContactUs.aspx

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO COME IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

Great news and so awesome to see some elite ammos come to the VAL. Tim Mason has done a stellar job with Parkdale and can't wait to see it humming with a bit of luck in dry weather!

Jack Lunn is a star on the rise, couldn't match it with Jeffa at last Milers but there's more to come from him under a good culturein the Rising Track Club. Pete, Joe and Brad are world class on the tartan, can't wait to see how they pace themselves on the soft grass. JR no doubt will give them some pointers from his experience but we all know it's a completely different type of racing.

More updates from the Parkdale Committee, very exciting news. McSweyn coming off a 3:50.61 mile in Penguin, and finishing 2nd in the Burnie Mile running just over 4 minutes on grass off scratch. Update is below.

Guess who is coming to dinner at the Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift?

The Parkdale Gift Committee, Hartrick Property, and Wayne Clarke Events is excited to announce that Australia’s athlete's road to the Tokyo Olympics will be on show at the Parkdale Gift on Saturday 6th February 2021 at Gerry Green Reserve Parkdale.

In what will arguably be Australia’s best distance, male athletes, on show in Australia at Parkdale, the 2 mile at this year’s Parkdale Gift will witness the King from King Island Stewart McSweyn.

McSweyn is currently Australia’s best performed international distance athlete in 2020 with Australian records ranging from 1500 to 10000m. At a small track meet in Penguin, Tasmania last night, McSweyn clocked an amazing 1 mile in 3:50.61. The fastest ever 1 mile on Australian soil, a 2020 world lead, and the 3rd fastest time ever by an Australian. What will he run for 2 miles?

In a race with talent fit for an Olympic Trial - McSweyn won’t have it his own way with the following Australia Athletes fighting it out for a prize of $3k (Australia’s richest 2-mile event):

- Ryan Gregson - Former Australian record holder 1500m, Olympic finalist 1500m,  semi-final berth at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic Games.
- Jack Rayner - Australian National champion 3000m. National half marathon national champion
- Brett Robinson – Australian representative World Championships
- Dave McNeil - 2 Times Olympian Rio / London
- Jack Bruce  -  PB 13:38.15 over 5000m
- Jordan Williamsz – PB One Mile 3:56.89
- Ben Buckingham – PB 1500m 3:45.40
- Chris Dale – PB 1500m 3:47.92
- Tom Thorpe – PB 1500m 3:49.25

If you have never competed in the Professional Circuit - now’s your chance to race the “King” -  Stewart McSweyn” - There’s a two meet permit available for $20 for new athletes. Entries are now Open.

Gerry Green Reserve Parkdale Parkdale, Victoria, Australia.

Contact the VAL office - https://www.val.org.au/AboutUs/ContactUs.aspx

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO COME IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

Another announcement from the Parkdale Committee, shaping up to be a fantastic night of racing already. This announcement is regarding the Women's 2 mile event.

The Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift wishes all a safe and happy New Year's eve and all the best in 2021.

The Women athletes bring in the New Year with an announcement for 2021 for the Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift?

The Parkdale Gift Committee, Hartrick Property, and Wayne Clarke Events is excited to announce that Australia’s athlete's road to the Tokyo Olympics will be on show at the Parkdale Gift on Saturday 6th February 2021 at Gerry Green Reserve Parkdale.

Quality Australian and International female athletes will be entered in Australia at Parkdale in the Women’s 2 mile at this year’s Gift.

Genevieve Gregson leads the Australian charge at Parkdale. The local Bayside resident whose resume includes 2 x Olympic Finalist, 2 x World Champs finalist and an Australian record holder is impressive to say the least.

Andrea Seccafien (Canada) is the first of our internationals being a Canadian Olympian, World Championship finalist and a National record holder for the half marathon in 1:09:38 and 9:03.92 for 3000m, Andrea brings the X factor.

Lilli Burdon (New Zealand) is our second International. A seven-time All-American NCAA Champion (DMR) with a PB of 8:59.18 for 3000m is a raider from across the Tasman to watch.

Natalie Rule with a PB of 9:08.76 for 3000m is a young athlete on the rise.

Rose Davies with a PB of 9:00.17 over 3000m in November 2020 is in fine form.

If you have never competed in the Professional Circuit - now’s your chance to race “Australia’s & International best female athletes off handicap” - There’s a two meet permit available for $20 for new athletes. Entries are now Open.

Gerry Green Reserve Parkdale Parkdale, Victoria, Australia.

Contact the VAL office - https://www.val.org.au/AboutUs/ContactUs.aspx

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO COME IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

Parkdale Gift Live Stream

The Bendigo Community Bank Parkdale Gift is providing a unique live stream is an Australian first for Athletics in this country.

30% of the income raised in this 3.5-hour live stream will be pooled and going directly back to Australia’s top 5 ranked Australian and International Athletes.

Join us on February 6 with sports commentator and writer for ABC Radio Grandstand Dan Lonegan, VAL expert Oliver G S Wurm and Tasmanian race caller Grant Penny as he calls a night of the stars.

Stewart McSweyn, Ryan and Genevieve Gregson, Peter Bol, Joseph Deng, Catriona Bissett, Andrea Seccafien, Brittany Kaan, Maddie Coates, and others will use these financial returns to assist them in their quest for Gold in the Tokyo Olympics.

Help support those athletes that put on the show.

https://www.tikstream.com/parkdale-gift/event/parkdale-gift-2021

Parkdale Indigenous Gift

Parkdale Indigenous Gift (Men & Women)  - Victorian leg of the ‘Spirit of Sprinting’ program

Prize:
1. $500 & Sash.
2. Free entry to the Stawell Gift carnival and accommodation provided.
Heats: 4pm (if required)
Finals: 5:30pm

Conditions of Entry:
1. Be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
2. Never have won an Underage or Open, State or National individual athletics titles.
3. Have a positive attitude!

Registrations needed by 3pm on race day. Or call Peter O’Farrell on 0412745774 for any enquiries.