Pakenham local succeeds at Stawell

Pakenham local Jason Bailey competing in the 2019 Stawell Gift.

By Mitchell Clarke

 Pakenham local Jason Bailey has come third in the 2019 Stawell Gift, recording a time of 12.249 in the 120 metre men’s final on Monday.

The 23-year-old electrician has run in five seasons of the Gift, with this being his best result so far.

“The feeling was electric,” he said.

“The silence of the crowd and only hearing the starter and then the raw from the crowd was huge.”

Mr Bailey started running when he was 12 years old, participating in little athletics and senior athletics before progressing into gift running.

In 2019 alone, he has won the Wangaratta gift and 70 metre races in Berwick, Parkdale and Ballarat.

He says the feeling that running gives him is what fuels his passion.

“The feelings of adrenaline just before you start while settling in the blocks is unbeatable.”

“It’s great to be able to say I completed it and represent Pakenham in the meantime.”