The Victorian Athletic League (VAL) has announced handicaps for 737 athletes set to compete in the 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift, to be held from Saturday April 4 to Monday April 6 at Central Park, Stawell.
Now in its 144th year, the iconic three-day Easter carnival will culminate on Easter Monday with the finals of both the Powercor Stawell Gift and Powercor Women’s Gift, each carrying a winner’s prize of $40,000.
In a landmark moment for the event, two of the world’s fastest sprinters – Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman from the USA – will make their Australian debut, both racing from the scratch mark (0m). The pair will take on Australia’s best professional runners under the unique Stawell conditions, handicap racing on grass over 120 metres.
Sha’Carri Richardson was the 2023 world champion over 100m and one of the most recognisable athletes in global athletics, while Coleman, a former world champion, Olympic gold medallist and one of the fastest men in history, brings elite-level experience to the field. Both athletes are accustomed to racing on synthetic tracks and will now face the challenge of adapting to Stawell’s uphill grass surface and staggered start format.
Sha’Carri told 1993 Stawell Gift winner and Channel 7 presenter Jason Richardson she was excited about the handicap format. “I’ve been known to be a chaser in a couple of races, so actually the challenge of the stagger makes me more technical and sound, and with that comes great results.”
Christian Coleman, known for its fast starts, believes he is the opposite. “I’m usually leading from the front and people are trying to come catch me. I feel that this will be the perfect start to the season, to have some fun, but also be able to work on the things I have been practicing,” he said.
Reigning Powercor Womens Gift champion Bree Rizzo said the introduction of two global sprint stars would elevate what is already one of the most unique races in the world.
“Stawell holds a special place in my heart, so I’m really looking forward to being back this Easter,” Rizzo said. “Whilst I won’t be on the track this year, I’m still really excited to be there and involved in the event in a different way. I’m so excited to see my new winning plaque on the streets of Stawell, be a part of the commentary team, and watch the racing – especially with Sha’Carri and Christian running in the Gift. It’s going to be an exciting weekend.”
Rizzo, who became just the second woman in history to win the Women’s Gift from scratch, said the American duo would need to adapt quickly to a vastly different racing environment.
“This will be a very different style of racing for Sha’Carri and Christian compared to what they’re used to,” she said. “While I believe they train a lot on grass during preseason, actually racing on it will be a new experience. The track itself is slightly uphill and separated by ropes, with a gated finish, which can feel quite strange to run through at first.
“We’ll need to show them how to set up their blocks on their mark, because unlike traditional track racing where hands are on the start line, the front block is aligned with the line of their given mark. The biggest difference will be the handicap racing, chasing the field from a staggered start is very different to a standard track race.
“They’re both incredibly experienced and phenomenal athletes, but this will be a first for them, and they’ll need to run hard all the way through the line, no cruising or slowing up. The start is also quite aggressive compared to track racing, so it would be great for them to familiarise themselves with it beforehand.”
Despite the challenges, Rizzo believes both athletes are genuine winning chances.
“Absolutely I think they both have the ability to win, even if the field is strong, but it won’t be easy,” she said. “They’ll need to arrive in shape and execute the race well from start to finish, and if they do that, they can definitely compete for the win.”
Defending Powercor Stawell Gift champion John Evans, whose handicap will move back from 9.75m to 4.5m, said the prospect of racing Coleman was surreal.
“It would be an amazing experience racing against one of the fastest men in the world, which is pretty surreal,” Evans said. “I’m hoping I get the opportunity to line up alongside him.” Evans believes Coleman’s recent form suggests he will be competitive, even in an unfamiliar format. “Running sub 10 seconds for the 100m at the end of 2025 suggests he could push for a final, or possibly just miss out, depending on how his semi-final plays out,” he said.
Evans said the opportunity to share the track would be invaluable. “I’m just hoping I get the chance to meet him and maybe pick up a few tips myself.”
He added that the presence of international stars reflects the growing profile of the event. “Having athletes like Lachlan Kennedy, Gout Gout, and Bree Rizzo last year and now adding Richardson and Coleman is incredible for the event and the sport.”
2025 runner-up Jasper Thomas, who will move from 6.5m to 2.5m this year, said Coleman’s presence would be felt across the field.
“I think he will be quite a handful to deal with,” Thomas said. “Anything can happen at Stawell hence the excitement and unpredictability of the races. I guarantee every person that lines up against Christian will be battling the thoughts of that absolute demon of a sprinter coming down that track and eating up the metres behind them.”
2017 Stawell Gift winner Matthew Rizzo also expects both Americans to contend. “Sha’Carri and Christian are two of the fastest athletes of all time. They’re world class and know exactly how to handle pressure, so I think they’ll both be super competitive this year,” he said.
“I don’t think they’ll have any real issues adjusting. Once they get a feel for it, their class and experience will show pretty quickly. They’re going to put on an unreal show for the crowd.”
In the Powercor Womens Gift, former Commonwealth Games and World Championships representative and national 200m champion Maddie Coates has been handed 3.5m, while Mia Greacen (3.75m), 2025 finalist Grace Crowe (4.25m), and Kayla Lemm and Shauna Herbst (both off 4.5m) will contest as backmarkers.
Athletes on higher marks are expected to feature prominently. Halle Martin from Ballarat, Adelaide’s Taylah Spackman and Melbourne athletes Jasmine Rowe, Kylee Drew and Emma Carr are among the leading contenders off 10m, alongside fellow Victorian Charlotte Nielsen off 9.25m. In form Ebony Newton from Maitland, NSW will contest off a mid-mark of 5.5m.
Coates, who is returning from major injury in recent years, said the inclusion of Richardson only adds to an already strong field. “With Sha’Carri in the mix, it just adds to what’s already a special, competitive field. I’m prepared and in a good place,” she said.
In the men’s field, contenders include front markers Dion Paull on 10m, Jack Wolff on 9.75m and Tom Perry on 9.5m, all from Melbourne. Coleman will also have to chase down the highly favoured Brendan Matthews from the ACT on 9.25m and Will Adams (8.5m) from the NSW Central Coast. Strong contenders further back are 2022 finalist Jesse McKenna who will be ahead of Coleman at the 3.25m mark, 2024 runner up Jake Ireland running from 4.5m and newcomer South Australian Olufemi Komolafe starting at 5m.
Tom Perry said the addition of global stars would bring added intrigue.
“I think the two icons of world athletics in Christian and Sha’Carri will add a level of intrigue and excitement to the race,” he said. “You can never discount them to do something spectacular. However, I would personally love Christian to win my dad’s race – the Invitational Backmarkers 120m.”
Chris Perry, one of the most influential figures in Australian professional athletics, is honoured through the Invitational Backmarkers 120m, a feature race showcasing the fastest sprinters in the field from the tightest marks.
The event, now sponsored by local Stawell company Krause Bricks in memory of Chris Perry, is a highlight of the Stawell programme and often produces some of the carnival’s most exciting racing.
The 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift will run from April 4–6, with Fashions at Central Park on Easter Saturday and Family Day on Easter Sunday. All events will be broadcast live and free on 7Plus across the weekend, with live coverage on Channel Seven from 11:30am AEST on Easter Monday. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
By Stawell Gift
Posted 2/4/2026
