The Victorian Athletic League organises professional running events across Victoria. The most famous of these events is the Stawell Gift which has been run since 1878. There are many other Gift meetings run across Victoria during a season at places such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Maryborough, Keilor and Ringwood.
Races are run over distances ranging from 70 metres to 3,200 metres under a handicap system that ensures that every runner is given the opportunity to be competitive in any race.

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What is the Victorian Athletic League?
What is handicapped racing?
Who can run with the Victorian Athletic League?
How do you register with the Victorian Athletic League?
When and where are Victorian Athletic League events held?
How do you get started?
Interstate competition

What is the Victorian Athletic League?
The Victorian Athletic League organises professional running events across Victoria. The most famous of these events is the Stawell Gift which has been run since 1878. There are many other Gift meetings run across Victoria during a season at places such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Maryborough, Keilor and Ringwood.
Races are run over distances ranging from 70 metres to 3,200 metres under a handicap system that ensures that every runner is given the opportunity to be competitive in any race.

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What is handicapped racing?
Handicapped racing is designed to ensure that every athlete has a chance to win. This means that athletes are allocated a handicap according to their ability. The fastest runner is placed on a backmark and gives a start to slower runners. This ensure that racing is close and exciting, with spectacular finishes.
Stewards and Handicappers keep an eye on all runners to ensure they run to the best of their ability and do not deliberately run slow to get a better handicap. The stewards can fine athletes that are found to be deliberately running slow or do not provide correct details about past performances.
Athletes who are new to the sport generally start from the “novice” handicap which is somewhere in the middle of the field. Their handicap is then adjusted as appropriate after the handicapper has seen them compete a few times.
Handicap racing is an Australian tradition where every competitor is given a chance to share in success. Horse racing (Melbourne Cup) and bike racing (Austral Wheelrace) are examples of handicap racing in Australia.

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Who can run with the Victorian Athletic League?
Competition is open to anyone over 15 years old. The handicap system ensures that anyone can be successful. If you compete in athletics, play football, basketball, netball, soccer, enjoy staying in shape or you want to get in shape, then racing with the Victorian Athletic League is ideal for you. You might even get the chance to compete alongside Olympians such as Tamsyn Lewis, Kris McCarthy, Cathy Freeman, Steve Brimacombe, Jai Taurima or Matt Shirvington who have all competed with the Victorian Athletic League.
Despite its name, professional running is not really a sport for full time elite athletes. While the big Gift events offer thousands of dollars in prizemoney, there are many races where the prizemoney is a few hundred dollars. You do not need to be an elite athlete to win good money on the professional athletic circuit.
There are also a range of restricted races at most meetings. These include races for veterans (over 35 years old), women, novice (runners who have not won a race) and juniors (under 21 years old).

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Premium Registration allows athletes to compete in all Victorian Athletic League events. Standard Registration allows athletes to compete in all VAL events where prize money is less than $4,000 or the distance is 400m or further.

Note that athletes may upgrade their registration during the season by paying the difference between their current registration and the proposed registration.

Registration with the Victorian Athletic League allows athletes to compete in interstate competition with QAL, TAL, SAAL and NSWAL without paying registration fees in those states. Registration fee includes optional $5.00 membership to the Victorian Runners and Trainers Association and includes GST.

Registration Form 2006/2007

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When and where are Victorian Athletic League events held?
The Victorian Athletic League con ducts events throughout Victoria. A full list of each carnival is available by clicking here
The season generally commences in November and culminates with the Stawell Gift carnival which is held at Easter each year.
The Victorian Athletic League also conducts a number of special events at various times during the year. Events have been held during intervals of international cricket at the MCG, between horse races at Moonee Valley, before AFL matches at Docklands Stadium and at other special events. Any athlete registered with the VAL can compete in these events.

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How do you get started?
Getting started is a simple as completing the Registration Form then selecting and entering a race. The Victorian Athletic League will send you a competitor pass with the date and time of your event and your handicap. It is then a matter of turning up and competing.
Many athletes prefer to be coached by a Victorian Athletic League endorsed trainer, however you can also train on your own or with a non-registered trainer.
A list of Victorian Athletic League endorsed trainers can be found by clicking here and they would be happy to introduce you to the sport of professional running.
The Victorian Runners and Trainers Association (VRTA) comprise of volunteer runners and trainers who interested in developing the sport and are also willing to help new athletes get started. Contacts for the VRTA are available from the Victorian Athletic League Office or by clicking here

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Interstate Competition
The Victorian Athletic League has reciprical arrangements with interstate bodies in South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Athletes who are registered with the Victorian Athletic League can compete in interstate competition and only need to pay the race entry fee. Follow the links to major interstate league websites. Click here for Interstate Links.