PETER BOL TO RACE AT THE POWERCOR STAWELL GIFT

Australia’s modern day 800m great, Peter Bol, will take to the grass track at Central Park, Stawell this Easter Monday, headlining a talented middle-distance field in the adidas Invitational 1000m handicap.

Bol is a three time national 800m Champion. At Tokyo 2020, Bol finished fourth in the final of the 800m, the highest placing by an Australian in the event for 53 years. It will be Bol’s first time competing at Stawell and he is looking forward to the challenge of competing over the 1000m distance on the grass track.

“I always love watching Stawell every year. The women’s 1000 in 2023 was a great race, and I’m excited to run that same distance. I hope we have a great race!”, said Bol.

The unique 1000m distance will see 1500m and 800m specialists going head to head for $15,000 in prize money and the prestigious adidas Invitational title.

“In recent years we have cherished the opportunity to showcase our very best Australian middle distance athletes, like Jessica Hull, Abbey Caldwell, Linden Hall, Catriona Bisset and Stewart McSweyn to over 1 million viewers around Australia each year on Channel 7, and this year it’s the turn of our modern day 800m star – PETER BOL” said Powercor Stawell Gift Ambassador, Jason Richardson.

Peter has thrilled Australians in Olympic and Commonwealth Games 800m Finals with his courageous running style, and it will be awesome to watch him in action at Central Park, Stawell in the adidas Invitational.”

Bol’s participation in the 2024 Powercor Stawell Gift will be a drawcard for participants and spectators from near and far in an event that is a major contributor to the local economy in Stawell and is actively supported by the Victoria Government.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos MP said he’s excited that Peter will take part in the 2024 Stawell Gift Carnival.

“It’s an exciting coup for our historic carnival to welcome an athlete of such acclaim as he continues his preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

“This is just one of many reasons for all Victorians to head to Stawell this Easter long weekend and experience the sights and sounds of this special major event for Victoria.”

Bol will take on a talented ten-deep field that includes Victorian 1500m Champion, Riley Bryce, Australian U17 800m Champion, Austin Fernando, and Victorian U20 800m Champion, Hamish Donohue. The winner will take home a first prize of $5,000 with $15,000 in prize money up for grabs in total.

An exciting opportunity also awaits the winner of the time-honoured Herb Hedemann Invitation 1600m Handicap. The Herb Hedemman event will be run on Easter Sunday afternoon with the winner invited to compete in the adidas Invitational on Easter Monday.

The adidas Invitational 1000m Handicap will take place at 1:25pm on Easter Monday, April 1, 2024 and will be featured in the live national broadcast on Seven. Tickets to witness this race and all three days of action at the Powercor Stawell Gift are now on sale at Ticketek.

By Jane Owen, Stawell Gift
Posted: 27/3/2024