Dion Paull chasing history at Stawell

Date: 16th March 2026

At 37, most sprinters have stepped away from elite competition. But for Victorian professional runner Dion Paull, the dream of winning the Powercor Stawell Gift may be closer than ever.

The Skye-based athlete is enjoying one of the strongest seasons of his career and believes he has one final genuine shot at Australia’s most famous professional footrace.

“Winning the Gift at Stawell is the ultimate pro running achievement,” Paull said. “You hear previous winners talk about the impact it’s had on their lives and the appreciation they have for the history and prestige of the event. To join that company would be an incredible and humbling experience.”

Dion’s campaign gathered momentum early in the season when he claimed the Seymour Gift in December. “I had my best pre-season for a number of years and was able to convert that into some early season form,” he said.

A short break was needed after Seymour to manage the physical toll of competition, something Dion admits has become increasingly important with age. “I feel like I’m running as well as ever at 37, but managing load and recovery is something I definitely appreciate more now,” he said.

The veteran is also competing in Masters races this season, often from the backmark, giving him valuable opportunities to refine race tactics ahead of Stawell.

“It’s a lot of fun but also a great way to work on race execution in preparation for the Gift.”

A decorated pro running resumé

Dion is no stranger to success at Stawell’s famous Central Park track. Across more than a decade in the sport, he has already built a CV many runners would envy.

He says his most memorable achievements include winning the 400m Backmarkers race at Stawell in 2015; finishing 4th in the 120m Powercor Stawell Gift final in 2021; and claiming the 200m event and finishing runner-up in the 70m in 2022. And he added the 70m title at the Geelong Gift yesterday to that portfolio. “To breakthrough for an Open 70m was a nice surprise and indication that I’m on the right track,” Dion said on Monday.

Yet some of his proudest moments have come watching teammates succeed.

“Playing a role in squadmate success is often even more satisfying than personal achievements,” Paull said.

He points to last year’s breakthrough victories for training partners as highlights of the sport’s community spirit.

“Watching Cam Moss finally win a few sashes after 10 years without a breakthrough was special. Then seeing Katie Moore and Luke Mitchell also claim Gift wins this season, that’s what the sport is all about.”

Dion is part of the Team Fiedler squad coached by Nick Fiedler, a group known for its depth and competitive environment.

“We’re at the track or gym five or six days a week and some nights there are more than 30 athletes on the track,” he said.

“There’s so much depth that it creates the perfect training environment.”

He credits Fiedler’s coaching style and passion for the sport as key reasons the squad continues to produce elite performers. “He’s incredibly knowledgeable and really good at adapting his coaching to get the best out of different athletes.”

Dion himself has been part of the group for more than a decade, ever since an early session in 2014 left a lasting impression.

“I cooked myself like a charcoal chicken on what was meant to be a tempo run,” he laughed. “I remember thinking I might not survive the session, but the way Nick spoke about the upcoming season had me hooked.”

A final shot 

Dion Paull believes he will start the 120m race this year from the 10m mark, a challenging handicap but one he believes still leaves him in contention.

“This is probably my last decent crack at the Gift,” he said. “If the younger guys want to go past me, I’m planning on making them earn it.”

He expects an open men’s race, with several emerging athletes pushing for their first final appearance.

Among those he sees as contenders are Jack Wolff, Olufemi Komolafe, Will Adams, Lachie Falconer-Boag, Hamish Hopkins and his own squadmate Tom Perry, while experienced runners Brendan Matthews, Jake Ireland and Jessie McKenna also loom as threats.

Global stars adding intrigue

This year’s Gift has attracted international attention with American sprint stars Christian Coleman and Sha’Carri Richardson expected to feature in the carnival.

Paull believes the grass track and handicap format could present a unique challenge for Coleman.

“He’s incredibly talented, but he’ll have to deal with racing on grass, chasing athletes off marks and competing in an environment that’s unfamiliar to him. As long as he’s not in my heat, hopefully he can create a bit of buzz.”

Away from the track, Paull works with Fusion High Performance, helping train aspiring junior athletes in development programs. His interests are eclectic: heavy metal music, umpiring football during the winter and playing Japanese chess.mBut for now, the focus is firmly on Easter in Stawell.

Eleven years after his first appearance at the Gift, Paull remains as motivated as ever. And if the stars align, the experienced campaigner may yet prove that a Masters athlete can still claim the sport’s most coveted sash.

Title image: Neil Jameson, Jamesons Photography

Below: Team Fieldler at the 2025 Powercor Stawell Gift; Dion Paull with the Jack Donaldson 200m trophy. Supplied by D Paul

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