Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic returns with ACT Government support

World-class athletics is set to take over the nation’s capital with the Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic making its triumphant return on Saturday 2 March, 2024.

Long a key event on the Australian sports calendar, the Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic makes a welcome come-back to the Australian Institute of Sport after a two-year hiatus, thanks to the support of the ACT Government.

Part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, the meet brings together Australia’s top Olympic and Paralympic athletes and gives locals and visitors alike the chance to get up close and personal with the stars of the sport on the eve of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With three months to go, Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne MLA said she was thrilled the ACT Government is able to assist in bringing to life such a must-see event in Canberra.

“It’s tremendously exciting to see the return of the Canberra Track Classic in 2024. The support being provided by the ACT Government will help Athletics Australia enhance its marketing, operations, and community engagement activities for the event.

“We look forward to welcoming athletes, officials, supporters and sports fans to the nation’s capital at a very exciting time for athletics in Australia, and I encourage all Canberrans to be part of the occasion.”

Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley thanked the ACT Government for the backing on such an iconic meet.

“Australian athletics has entered a new golden era, with its popularity increasing along with its standard internationally. There’s truly no better time to bring back such a fierce level of competition to Canberra,” Bromley said.

“I’d like to thank the ACT Government for their support of this event. With their belief, our athletes will be able to lay down their work for another all-important opportunity to qualify for Paris on one of the country’s fastest tracks.”

The Canberra Track Classic will take place just one day after the Australian trials for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Stromlo Forest Park as the country’s top distance runners take strides on the famous terrain for their chance at wearing the green and gold in Serbia, later that month.

“It’s fantastic to be hosting such a high standard of athletics in the capital, with the announcement of the Canberra Track Classic and the Australian Cross Country Trials,” Capital Athletics CEO Glen Taylor said.

“Over the last year, we have been working hard to build pathways from Little Athletics right through to the senior level and we believe having two quality events such as these will make a difference in inspiring more people to participate in our sport and to get active.

“I’d like to encourage all Canberrans to join in on the action. The last domestic season saw some of the most exciting moments in the sport for many years, and I have no doubt that we’ll see even more nail-biting moments in our own backyard.”

Tickets for the Canberra Track Classic are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to secure their seats early due to limited capacity at the AIS. Click here for more information.

2024 Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic

When: Saturday 2 March, 2024. Pre-events from 2pm; main program from 4pm AEDT

Where: The Australian Institute of Sport Track and Field Centre

Who: The stars of Australian athletics. Stay tuned for athlete announcements over the coming months.

Why: The Chemist Warehouse Canberra Track Classic is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, which offers prize money and World Ranking points, which assists in qualification for the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games. It is also the third meet in Australia’s four-meet Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.

How: For more information and to purchase tickets, click here

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 2/12/2023