Two of Australia's brightest young talents, Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy, have won their heats at the 2025 Stawell Gift.

Both athletes made their debut at the iconic meet after standout performances at last week's Australian National Championships. Neither had previously competed under the unique handicap conditions nor on grass, but each adapted well to the challenge and advanced to Monday's semi-finals.

The pair drew a large crowd to Central Park on day one of the three-day carnival, with plenty of anticipation surrounding their appearances in heats 21 and 22. Earlier in the afternoon, South Australian John Evans had set the benchmark with a time of 12.13 seconds in heat eight.

Off a handicap of 1 metre, Gout Gout gave up 3.5 metres to his nearest opponent, Jackson Bennet and was chasing Patrick McCarthey, who started from the limit mark of 10 metres. After his typical slow start, the 200-metre specialist powered through the field, waving to the crowd as he crossed the finish line in 12.31 seconds.

The 17-year-old didn't stop there, continuing around the bend to high-five spectators, including a group of children who were chanting his name just before he got in his blocks.

Though his time currently sits outside the top 10 heading into the semi-finals, Gout was upbeat about his chances.

"120 (metres) is literally the perfect distance for me because the hundreds, obviously, I don't get that much time to get up to my top speed, but 120, I get that extra 20 metres," he said.

"I love chasing down people, so this is the type of race I love, and I can't wait to see how I go in the semis."

"I reckon I've got more in me. Obviously, I'm off one metre, so hopefully I get a good semi and see what I can do."

Kennedy followed in the final heat of the day, coming off a 0.25 metre mark and chasing down Conor Loughlan and Grant McDonald, who were out on 4.5 and 10 metres respectively. The New South Welshman hit the front with around 20 metres to go, easing through the line in 12.23 seconds after making a confident gesture with his tongue out just before finishing.

His time ranks third overall heading into the next stage, behind Evans and Newcastle's Jasper Thomas, who posted 12.22 seconds in heat 20. Jack Hale also impressed, clocking 12.25 seconds off his 2.25 metre handicap in a competitive run.

Kennedy said running at Stawell had been a long-time ambition, and now he's aiming to win it.

"I go into every race thinking I can win. The mindset has always been to win at the end of the day," he said.

"I've got heaps more left in the tank, hopefully we can go even faster in the semi-final.

"It's a bit daunting when you've got people starting that far in front of you. I normally have good starts, so I am used to being in front, so it was a little different there.

"I've watched this gift many times, before I even started doing track. You always watch this, and it's a great event, got a whole lot of history behind it, so I want to be able to run here and put on a show. Seeing it on TV is one thing, but actually being here and hearing it is a whole different ball game. The atmosphere is incredible."

The women's gift results were equally as interesting with Olivia Hastings going into the semi finals as the fastest runner, with a time of 13.68 seconds from her back mark of 2.75 metres.

But Bree Rizzo looks uber impressive, cruising through the line despite her 13.91 second time, just one week after her impressive finish at the National Championships.

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Last year's women's gift was won by Chloe Mannix-Power in a time of 13.38 seconds, she also managed to take out heat 16 in a time of 13.94 seconds this time around.