Glorified training run: Sha’Carri Richardson’s easy heat win at Stawell

The Olympic 100m silver medallist showed exactly what happens when a world-class sprinter meets junior and state-level opposition, even when giving away a 10-metre head start.

Running off scratch at the Stawell Gift, Sha’Carri Richardson stopped the clock in 13.92 seconds into a 2.0 m/s headwind. Under the Stawell wind conversion formula*, the performance was recognised at 13.82, and even that doesn’t fully capture the dominance.

Richardson shut down over the final 10 metres and still proved too strong.

Second-placed Lilliana Hoffman, 14, crossed in 14.16 (14.06 Stawell time), 0.24 seconds behind, starting from a 7.25m handicap. The South Australian U16 champion owns a personal best of 12.19, underlining the gulf between elite international sprinting and the best of emerging domestic talent: Richardson is ranked #9 in the world over 100m in World Athletics Rankings to Hoffman’s #2,376.

The only athlete in the heat closer to Richardson at the start was Courtney Thwaites (7.0m), who holds a 12.46 personal best and recently placed fourth at the Queensland Championships over 400m in 57.04.

It was a case of world-class top-end speed off a generous mark.

For Richardson, the race was less about the result and more about the experience — and the start of her 2026 campaign.

“Running on grass, it felt like being a kid again playing tag,” she said.
“It was about knocking the dust off… chasing everyone made me activate and work on my race pattern, so it was a good first race.”

Speaking with 2025 winner Bree Rizzo — one of only two women to win from scratch — Richardson hinted she believes she can join that exclusive list.

“I feel very confident becoming number three.”

Richardson won’t have it all her own way, however, with 12 athletes running faster converted heat times across the women’s draw.

Despite Richardson’s statement performance, it was a dream run for 19-year-old Charlotte Nielsen who recorded the fastest heat of the day, running 13.32* off 9m. Last year’s runner-up Chiara Santiglia followed with 13.62* off 6.75m, while Emma Carr clocked 13.65* off the maximum 10m handicap.

“I had a dream last night about running in a 13.32 so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Nielsen.

“I just wanted to get out hard and then finish strongly… I think I executed it alright.”

Santiglia, returning with unfinished business, is taking a different mindset into 2026.

“I learned a lot from last year. This year I’m focussing on myself, being present, enjoying it and most of all having fun.”

Carr, meanwhile, is embracing both the occasion and the opportunity.

“Seeing Sha’Carri run was really exciting… it would be pretty cool to be in the same semi as her, but for now I think I’ll remain focused on what I can control.”

Christian Coleman leads men’s charge in pursuit of rare scratch victory

In the men’s event, Christian Coleman ensured it wasn’t just Richardson flying the flag for the scratch runners.

The former world indoor champion took out his heat in 12.77s (-1.6 m/s) or 12.68* seconds, navigating a tighter contest to safely progress to the semi-finals on Easter Monday.

Like Richardson, Coleman is attempting one of the sport’s toughest feats: winning the Stawell Gift from scratch.

“It was amazing… all the people, all the fans have been so nice and I’m so excited,” he said.

“I’m using this as a good training opportunity… but I’m a competitor, so I want to come out here and win.”

The depth of the men’s field was evident, led by Olufemi “Femi” Komolafe, who recorded the fastest heat of the day in 12.11* off 5m.

Spencer Browne (12.29* off 8.75m), Jake Ireland (12.32* off 4.5m) and Dutch 13.60 high hurdler Liam van der Schaff (12.32* off 6m) were also among the heat winners.

For Komolafe, the opportunity to race against one of his idols has added an extra layer of motivation.

“When I heard the news that he was coming, that’s what really lit the fire,” he said.

“I thought I have to make it here… that would be the best thing ever to be able to run against him.”

With both Richardson and Coleman advancing, the prospect of dual scratch victories remains alive. But history suggests the chased pack will have plenty to say during Easter Monday’s semi-finals and finals.

Stawell Gift – Day 1

Photos by Luke Hemer, courtesy of Stawell Gift