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Liv Ryan wins the 2017 Stawell Gift.

By HAYDEN WAUGH

Athletics Australia could learn a thing or two from the Victorian Athletic League (VAL), if a surge in participation is anything to go by. 

Since deciding to offer parity in prize money for the historic Stawell Gift foot race three years ago, junior competitors now account for most of the female athletes on the Gift's racing circuit.

VAL social media coordinator and runner Anna MacDonald argues it gives every athlete on the track a chance.

“Pro running is all about giving everyone a shot at winning. It means competing against all ages, sexes and fitness levels,” she says.

“Whether you’re starting at the back trying to run down the entire field, or off the front running scared, pro running offers a totally different challenge.”

Professional running in the VAL is different because athletes compete on staggered start lines that reflect their ability. The fastest competitor, called the "backmarker", has a lot of ground to make up and the breadth in talent results in a frantic finish.

Uncertainty attracts crowds

While the handicapping system remains contentious among the sprinting purists, it adds an air of excitement and consistently attracts crowds.

MacDonald says it’s an area that traditional racing – amateur athletics – has struggled with.

“Nine times out of 10, you can usually pick the 100 national champion,” she says.

“[Pro running] creates a much higher level of anticipation within the event and it becomes more marketable to and attractive to participants and sponsors alike.”

The VAL has lucrative events dotted around the state with Gift races in country towns such as Daylesford, Castlemaine and Euroa. Its headline sprints in Stawell attract a $40,000 purse, whereas Australia’s National 100m Champion receives less than a 10th of that.

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Liv Ryan and Matthew Rizzo with their trophies.

The emergence of a younger generation has been welcomed with open arms and talk of an age restriction is met with opposition. Professional running is identified as a young person’s game now and provides junior athletes with what’s viewed as invaluable experience. 

But it isn’t without its own problems. Despite its exciting atmosphere, head athletics writer for Fairfax Media, Michael Gleeson, says he's concerned about the current structure of professional running.

He argues the influx of young female newcomers has widened the gulf between the frontmarker and backmarker positions in the women’s events. 

“Unfortunately, the handicapping system is wrong. The handicapping rules give too generous a mark to new young female runners,” he says.

“There is a lack of depth in female running so there are fewer older female runners in the field in reasonable marks of 7-9m [ahead of the initial start line].”

Along with 18-year-old men’s champion Matthew Rizzo, this year’s women’s Stawell Gift winner was 16-year-old youngster Liv Ryan. It’s the third consecutive year a junior female athlete has won at Stawell – all from frontmarker positions of 11m (2017), 13m (2016) and 10.25m (2015).   

Youngsters difficult to handicap

Caulfield Grammar head sprint coach Damien O’Shea says it’s hard to grade these newcomers.

“It’s tough to estimate what ability they’ve got, which is the reason for the position as frontmarker,” he says.

“A lot of them haven’t run that often at school or at other junior meets so it’s difficult to assess them.”

The VAL is hoping this increase in participants is a sign of something special. A professional runner’s successful transition to amateur racing – and Olympic selection – is something rare. 

Since 2000, only Tamsyn Lewis (2000), Josh Ross (2003, ’05) and Melissa Breen (2012) have represented Australia as champions of the Stawell Gift.  

These athletes often have to overhaul their workload when seeking national selection. VAL sprint specialists often upgrade to the 200m or 400m events, unable to maintain a pace set by seasoned amateurs with Diamond League meets and Commonwealth Games experience.

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Was the success of Nitro the event or Usain Bolt's presence?

Pursuing an athletics career must be sought overseas and it’s at this point when support can potentially break down. But with the right results, success can quickly follow.

ABC sports journalist Tracey Holmes agrees.  “On a world scale, track and field in some countries is just huge and if you’re a Sally Pearson you can go on the Diamond League and make a lot of money – if you’re frequently finishing in the finals,” she says.

“But if you’re just competing here in Australia, track and field is not flush with funds and needs to use as much money as they can get from the Federal Government [for the Commonwealth Games and Olympics].”

However, Athletics Australia officials know quality talent when they see it first-hand and have plucked a few from obscurity. 

 In 2014, a 16-year-old Jack Hale set a new 100m national under-18 record of 10.44 seconds. His career has since taken off, participating at overseas meets with the backing of the AIS, claiming the title of quickest ever Australian under 20. 

The impact of Nitro Athletics

Earlier this year the spotlight was put on Nitro Athletics, which could be viewed as more of a marketing ploy than a genuine funding alternative for amateur runners.

With this year’s main act, Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt, set to retire,  Gleeson says he has doubts about the future of the event.

“The big question is whether it was Nitro that attracted people or if it was Usain Bolt. And when the money to pay Bolt and the mega stars runs out, does the concept wither and die?” he asks.

“Nitro is exciting and potentially able to generate the income that allows the purer versions of the sport to continue.”

The latest rise in Gift racing participation will see the next generation overrun the rosters throughout the VAL, no doubt.

As they look to chase any Commonwealth or Olympic aspirations, many hurdles will stand in their way – hurdles that can be hopefully overcome with help from Athletics Australia and increased financial backing. Together, that could help transform our junior professional runners into genuine national track athletes.