{"id":16327,"date":"2026-03-27T13:29:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T02:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stawellgift.com\/wp\/?p=16327"},"modified":"2026-03-27T13:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T02:29:14","slug":"shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stawellgift.com\/wp\/2026\/03\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\/","title":{"rendered":"Sha\u2019Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman to race from scratch in historic debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s Gift, each carrying a winner\u2019s prize of $40,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a landmark moment for the event, two of the world\u2019s fastest sprinters &#8211; Sha\u2019Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman from the USA &#8211; will make their Australian debut, both racing from the scratch mark (0m). The pair will take on Australia\u2019s best professional runners under the unique Stawell conditions, handicap racing on grass over 120 metres.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sha\u2019Carri 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\u2019s uphill grass surface and staggered start format.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sha\u2019Carri told 1993 Stawell Gift winner and Channel 7 presenter Jason Richardson she was excited about the handicap format. \u201cI\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christian Coleman, known for its fast starts, believes he is the opposite. \u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStawell holds a special place in my heart, so I&#8217;m really looking forward to being back this Easter,\u201d Rizzo said. \u201cWhilst I won\u2019t be on the track this year, I&#8217;m still really excited to be there and involved in the event in a different way. I&#8217;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 &#8211; especially with Sha&#8217;Carri and Christian running in the Gift. It&#8217;s going to be an exciting weekend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rizzo, who became just the second woman in history to win the Women\u2019s Gift from scratch, said the American duo would need to adapt quickly to a vastly different racing environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis will be a very different style of racing for Sha\u2019Carri and Christian compared to what they\u2019re used to,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThey\u2019re both incredibly experienced and phenomenal athletes, but this will be a first for them, and they\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the challenges, Rizzo believes both athletes are genuine winning chances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAbsolutely I think they both have the ability to win, even if the field is strong, but it won&#8217;t be easy,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt would be an amazing experience racing against one of the fastest men in the world, which is pretty surreal,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI\u2019m hoping I get the opportunity to line up alongside him.\u201d Evans believes Coleman\u2019s recent form suggests he will be competitive, even in an unfamiliar format. \u201cRunning 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,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evans said the opportunity to share the track would be invaluable. \u201cI\u2019m just hoping I get the chance to meet him and maybe pick up a few tips myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He added that the presence of international stars reflects the growing profile of the event. \u201cHaving 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025 runner-up Jasper Thomas, who will move from 6.5m to 2.5m this year, said Coleman\u2019s presence would be felt across the field.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI think he will be quite a handful to deal with,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cAnything 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2017 Stawell Gift winner Matthew Rizzo also expects both Americans to contend. \u201cSha\u2019Carri and Christian are two of the fastest athletes of all time. They\u2019re world class and know exactly how to handle pressure, so I think they\u2019ll both be super competitive this year,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ll have any real issues adjusting. Once they get a feel for it, their class and experience will show pretty quickly. They\u2019re going to put on an unreal show for the crowd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Athletes on higher marks are expected to feature prominently. Halle Martin from Ballarat, Adelaide\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coates, who is returning from major injury in recent years, said the inclusion of Richardson only adds to an already strong field. \u201cWith Sha\u2019Carri in the mix, it just adds to what\u2019s already a special, competitive field. I\u2019m prepared and in a good place,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the men\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tom Perry said the addition of global stars would bring added intrigue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI think the two icons of world athletics in Christian and Sha\u2019Carri will add a level of intrigue and excitement to the race,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can never discount them to do something spectacular. However, I would personally love Christian to win my dad\u2019s race &#8211; the Invitational Backmarkers 120m.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s most exciting racing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift will run from April 4\u20136, 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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/premier.ticketek.com.au\/shows\/show.aspx?sh=STAWELLG26\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ticketek<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":16328,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media-release","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sha\u2019Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman to race from scratch in historic debut - Powercor Stawell Gift<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Australia\u2019s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift, returns to Central Park on Saturday 20 April to Monday 22 April 2019 over the Easter long weekend with three action-packed days of elite athletic racing, activities and family entertainment. Marking its 138th year of racing, the Stawell Gift remains one of the most iconic footraces in the world, and continues to be a prominent event on the Australian sporting calendar.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stawellgift.com\/wp\/2026\/03\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Hopwood Wendy\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Hopwood Wendy\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e6da1d950573ad429f1f01f515045478\"},\"headline\":\"Sha\u2019Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman to race from scratch in historic debut\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-27T02:29:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1469,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/PSG26-Handicaps-declared.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Media Release\",\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sha\u2019Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman to race from scratch in historic debut - Powercor Stawell Gift\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/shacarri-richardson-and-christian-coleman-to-race-from-scratch-in-historic-debut\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/PSG26-Handicaps-declared.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-27T02:29:14+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/stawellgift.com\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e6da1d950573ad429f1f01f515045478\"},\"description\":\"Australia\u2019s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift, returns to Central Park on Saturday 20 April to Monday 22 April 2019 over the Easter long weekend with three action-packed days of elite athletic racing, activities and family entertainment. 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