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Riley Bryce (in white) leading the race featuring Peter Bol (in red)

31 July 2024

Congrats on your Stawell Gift win, Riley! See how you can play a role in the 2024/25 season

Winning at the Stawell Gift is putting your name down in 140 years of history – and Deakin’s Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science student Riley Bryce did just that! 

The Deakin Business School proudly sponsors the Victorian Athletic League (VAL), and the Stawell Gift is the pinnacle event for the VAL season.  Also known as Pro Running, VAL offers an inclusive approach with staggered starts or handicaps to ensure that athletes of all abilities have an opportunity to enjoy the thrill of the sport and have a chance win some money!

The Adidas Invitational 1000m Handicap saw Australian middle-distance legend Peter Bol (pictured, in red) compete against Riley (pictured, in white) who stunned everyone as he managed to hold off Peter to take out the win in torrential rain.

It was an amazing victory for Riley, who has previously competed in the 800m final in 2018 and won the Invitational 2019 Mile at 17. 

‘The race itself was a bit of a blur as I was in the moment. The rain came so I knew I had to go out hard to put myself in a good position early,’ said Riley, reflecting on his latest win.

‘I started to hurt, and a little bit of doubt crept in but then I heard the bell for the last lap. On the straight I saw Pete’s red singlet while I felt my legs getting sucked into the grass! Thankfully the line was closer and the reality of winning against such a quality field began to set in.’

To race against one of Australia’s greatest middle distance runners was such an honour. 

Peter Bol graciously reflected on the race: ‘Crazy weather but what a great event. I haven’t raced in rain like that since I was a kid! We’ll be back next year, the crowds and kids have been unreal.

Congrats to Riley, I left just 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.

See Riley’s tips on balancing study/life

‘As cliché as it is, results don’t come easy and there is a lot of hard work all year round, each and every year,’ said Riley.

‘Training is tough and feels like a full-time job but I know I need to fit study in as a career post running is a necessity. I’ve found a few ways to balance everything.

Huge congratulations to Riley! We look forward to watching your running and career journey unfold.

Keen to take part in the 2024/2025 VAL season?

Participants at the Stawell Gift raceAll students are welcome to compete in the 2024/2025 race – find out more on the VAL website. Registrations open in September 2024.

There’s also exclusive work experience opportunities available to Deakin Business/Sports students. They will be available during the next VAL Season (October 2024 to April 2025; final is the Stawell Easter Weekend 2025). You may complete a role as part of your Deakin Business Course as a Practicum/Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Unit OR as a Volunteer.

For more information and to complete an Expression of Interest, see the EOI form. EOIs must be received by 30 September 2024.

Banner image: Luke Hemer Photography. Article image: Jenny Poole Photography.



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