Stawell Gift: Peter Bol almost overcomes epic handicap in horrid conditions

Peter Bol came agonisingly short of an epic handicap victory in the 1000m event on Stawell Gift day, amid treacherous conditions for the marquee track meet.

It came as Jack Lacey and Chloe Mannix-Power defied a rain-sodden track and a two-hour delay due to lightning strikes to win the marquee 120m men’s and women’s Stawell Gift races.

WA product Bol, who shot to fame after finishing fourth in the 800m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was one of the biggest names in the annual event’s history as he took to the 1000m grass circuit.

Coming off a 32m handicap, Bol surged for home around the final bend despite driving rain making conditions difficult for athletes.

He lunged to the line but couldn’t pip 22-year-old Victorian Riley Bryce.

WATCH THE FINISH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

The event continued Bol’s return to getting his career back on track after a tumultuous 2023, which saw him ultimately cleared by Sport Integrity Australia having been provisionally suspended for failing an out-of-competition doping test.

“Crazy weather but what a great event,” Bol said after the race.

“I haven’t raced in rain like that since I was a kid.

“Congrats to Riley. I just left a little too much to do off the last bend.

“I felt I had a chance to catch him, but he was just a bit strong.”

Moments after Bol’s race, conditions worsened at the regional Victorian venue, with the meet suspended ahead of the showpiece finals due to lightning.

Lacey (9.5m) powered home to win the men’s race in 12.27 seconds once conditions were deemed suitable.

As a former Australian Rules football player, Lacey said he was untroubled by the sodden track.

Backmarker Jake Ireland was second.

Women’s Gift winner Mannix-Power justified her pre-event favouritism, storming home in 13.42 seconds off the backmark of 4.25m.

While the weather forced many support events to be cancelled, organisers were able to ensure the main races were run to continue the longstanding tradition of the event.

Since its inception in 1878, only World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 have prevented the Gift from taking place.