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Australia's Richest Mile Gets Even Richer
Leonora Golden Gift adds an extra $10,000 prize money.
The Leonora Shire have announced they are adding an extra $10,000 prize money into this year’s Leonora Golden Gift. Now sitting at a mammoth $65,000, Australia’s richest mile will be an even bigger draw card for elite athletes chasing Tokyo qualifying times.
Shire President, Peter Craig summed up the significance of this rise in price money saying, “I think it’s great that the Shire /Council has given the green light for an increase, to me indicates our commitment to the Golden Gift and the professionalism in the way the event it’s run.”
Over half the extra $10,000 will be placed into the elite prize money pool which now has the breakdown below for both men and women:
1st - $7,500.00 + Gold nugget ($2,400+)
2nd -$4,500.00
3rd - $2,500.00
4th - $1,700.00
5th - $1,250.00
6th - $1,000.00
7th - $650.00
8th - $350.00
Over its 18-year history the Leonora Golden Gift has had over 20 Olympians compete. Annually, the main attractions of the Leonora Golden Gift are the elite milers, those who come from all corners of the country to do battle for the prestigious gold nugget and prize money.
Last year the new Australian 10,000m record holder Stewart McSweyn dominated a classy field to take the win on the men’s side. Taking on the strongest field in Golden Gift history, Stewart McSweyn lived up to the hype, running away from the men’s field on the final lap. His time of 4:05 shattered the previous race record held by Jordan Gusman, the time made all the more impressive by the six famous – or infamous – 180-degree turns on the course. James Hansen ran bravely, finishing mere metres behind McSweyn. Despite entering the race as a relative underdog (in comparison to McSweyn), Hansen never lost belief in his own ability, fighting all the way to the line in a desperate effort to record his first win in five attempts.
Picture: McSweyn and Griffith Reign Supreme in Leonora
This year’s event takes place on May 30th - 31st and is sure to attract Australia’s middle-distance cream of the crop. Note: If you are an elite runner interested in competing in the Golden Gift, please email leonoragoldengift@gmail.com.
