Powercor Stawell Gift is one of the world's most famous foot races attracting elite athletes across Australia and the world. The prestigious race sees participants run on grass and athletes handicapped according to form and ability, starting on different marks and competing for recognition and prize money.
This year's foot race will include the inaugural ‘AIA Vitality Invitational Women's Handicap 1000m,’ set to be an event highlight that will take place over the Easter long weekend, seeing 1,500-metre and 800-metre specialists going head-to-head for $6,500 in prize money and the title.
The AIA Vitality Invitational Women's Handicap will take place at 1.35pm on April 18, 2022, and will be featured in the live national broadcast on Seven.
AIA Vitality was founded to empower and reward members for making small lifestyle changes to decrease their risk of chronic disease and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. In 2021, its members completed nearly 300,000 health and wellbeing assessments, visited the gym nearly 500,000 times, and received over $3 million in active benefit rewards for keeping active.
As part of the Powercor Stawell Gift event, AIA Vitality will host an AIA Vitality Zone, with a footy-themed handball challenge putting visitors' skills to the test and including instant giveaways and daily prizes. The zone's visitors may also enter a major competition to win tickets to an exclusive footy training competition at the AIA Centre in Melbourne, run by Hawthorn FC player Tom Mitchell and the team behind Ball Magnets – a fitness app and program designed by top AFL players to educate and inspire young players.
Stephanie Phillips, AIA chief shared value and marketing officer, said AIA continues to support and invest in women's sports and is proud to support the annual prestigious foot race for the second time.
“This prominent running carnival is a landmark event which unites and inspires so many Australians,” Phillips said. “We are thrilled that this year's Stawell Gift will feature the inaugural AIA Vitality Invitational Women's Handicap. We look forward to witnessing the race, which will add to the rich history of the Powercor Stawell Gift, as well as celebrating the achievements of everyone involved.”
Stephanie Spence, chair of Powercor Stawell Gift event management, added: “We are delighted that AIA Vitality continues to invest in our carnival and use these amazing women to showcase AIA Vitality's vision to make Australia one of the healthiest nations in the world.”
