Latest news with #GoldfieldsCyclassic
West Australian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Community spirit at the heart of Leonora Golden Gift
This year's Leonora Golden Gift was again one to remember as some of nation's fastest athletes joined Goldfields residents in a series of races that kept spectators entertained. The gold mining town's main drag came to life on Saturday with the much-anticipated work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from Coterie and Renegade. Sunday played host to junior athletics events and 120 metres, 600m and mile events for all ages before the headline men's and women's elite mile races. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. The iconic competition was formed in 2003 when athlete Raf Baugh and former Shire of Leonora president Graham Dawes floated an idea for a running race to reinvigorate the Goldfields town. Current shire president Peter Craig said this year's carnival went off without a hitch with perfect weather and a bumper field of competitors from all age groups. 'This is an opportunity for everybody, regardless of what age you are and your ability, to partake in the running,' he said. 'There's a lot of money on the table for the (elite runners) but there's certainly opportunities for the younger generation to show their wares and come through them as well.' On Friday, a youth basketball tournament took place and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. A bowls tournament and emergency response challenge also took place at the weekend. The neighbouring ghost town of Gwalia was also a popular attraction with visitors wishing to explore the hessian miners' cottages. Cr Craig said the Gift boosted the region's visitation and highlighted Leonora's rich outback history and heritage. 'Leonora has got a great history, we have Gwalia, the museum and Hoover House,' he said. 'It gives people an opportunity to visit our region. 'We certainly want to promote it and put it out there that the doors are always open to Leonora so come and have a look.' The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Cr Craig said Gift organisers hoped to see the return of the historic road race. 'Hopefully that does come back on the radar in coming years,' he said. 'We all know that everything costs a lot of money and you've got to have some good sponsors. 'We would certainly like to see it back on the cards again.'
West Australian
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Leonora hive of activity once again as Golden Gift takes over Goldfields town
The northern Goldfields town of Leonora was once again a hive of activity on the WA Day long weekend as the annual Golden Gift athletics and community festival took over the town. The two-day carnival for all age ranges peaked on Sunday afternoon with the men's and women's elite mile races, with Olympian Peter Bol the headline runner in the men's event. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. Other running events on the town's main street on Sunday included 120m, 600m and mile events for all ages. Saturday saw the popular work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from bands — this year Coterie and Renegade were the featured acts. A bowls tournament took place during the weekend, and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Full coverage in the Kalgoorlie Miner this week.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Historic Goldfields cycle race canned for 2025
One of the region's most time-honoured annual sporting events, the Goldfields Cyclassic, has been cancelled this year with no guarantees that it will be resurrected. Since 1928, the Cyclassic has taken pride of place among Australia's oldest and most historic road races on the June long weekend, as the blue-ribbon event on the Eastern Goldfields Cycle Club's annual calendar. Club chair Angus McConnell could not be reached for comment on Friday. However, formal notification of this year's cancellation was made on the event's official website, via a statement. 'The EGCC wishes to announce that this year's Goldfields Cyclassic will not be going ahead,' the statement said. 'We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all stakeholders, sponsors, volunteers, suppliers and to everyone who has participated in the event over the years. 'While the EGCC won't be hosting the event in 2025, we remain committed to our members and assessing the future viability of the Cyclassic.' Logistically, the event requires a power of work that includes operating special charter flights from Perth to the Goldfields and back for competitors and support crews. Charters were made available for last year's events because commercial flights to Kalgoorlie-Boulder do not arrive in time for race registrations and briefings. It is understood dwindling numbers had placed additional pressure on the EGCC committee, following the withdrawal of a Perth-based events company as the main organisers. The Cyclassic was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19 but was revived in 2021 amid an excellent field, and the 2022 event comprised $20,000 prizemoney. Formerly the Menzies to Kalgoorlie Classic, the format was changed in 2011 to coincide with the Leonora Golden Gift athletics carnival. It was just the second time in the program's long history the race did not end in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and reinforced its standing as one of Australian cycling's most historic events. The route was reversed in 1994 as part of the Menzies Shire Council's centenary celebrations and was won by star Kalgoorlie-Boulder rider Paul Miller, a former European professional. The 2023 Cyclassic was boosted by the inaugural Minara Resources Leonora Women's Classic, from Menzies to Leonora, that was raced on the second day of the two-stage program.
