Welcome to Burnie Athletic Club
The Burnie Athletic Club’s storied history dates back to 1887, when the first carnival was held on January 1st. From its humble beginnings at a ground in South Burnie, the carnival has grown into one of Australia’s most prestigious events, attracting athletes and spectators from around the world.
In the early days, Burnie was a small town of about 1,000 people, and the event had a casual, picnic-like atmosphere. However, it didn’t take long for the carnival to gain momentum. Today, the Burnie Athletic Club not only hosts a successful one-day carnival almost continuously since its inception but is also a joint venture partner in the Burnie Ten, Australia’s premier community running event, and organizes the Burnie 321-GO Kids’ Race.
The First Burnie Gift
In 1889, the first 130-yard Sheffield Handicap was held, marking the beginning of what would later be known as the Burnie Gift, Tasmania’s premier running event. The Gift quickly became the blue-ribbon event of the Tasmanian athletics calendar, continuing to attract top talent from around the world.
Moving to West Park: A New Era
In 1915, the Burnie Athletic Club moved the New Year’s Day Sports Carnival to West Park, where the tradition continues to this day. The Gift is now run over 120 meters (reduced from the original 130 yards in 1973) on a grass track, with athletes handicapped based on their ability.
Prestigious Achievements
Winning the Burnie Gift or the Burnie Wheel, the event’s top cycling race, is a monumental achievement for any athlete. Over the years, many famous competitors have graced the track. Dean Capobianco became the first to win the Gift off scratch in 1991. Joshua Ross is the only athlete to have won the race twice from scratch (in 2004 and 2007). Both Capobianco and Ross were national 100m champions.
The Burnie Carnival: A Celebration of Sport
The Burnie Carnival is not just about running—it’s a multi-sport event that includes races over 90m, 400m, and 1600m, along with cycling, wood chopping, and more.
Cycling at the Burnie Carnival
Cycling was introduced to the carnival in 1917, and the Burnie Wheel quickly became one of the top cycling events in the world. Originally held on a grass track, the cycling race moved to a new asphalt track at West Park in 1919.
Wood Chopping Tradition
Wood chopping was added to the carnival in the 1920s and remains a major draw today. By 1928, the event was already well-established, with competitions like the Standing Wood Chop and Tree Felling Handicap becoming crowd favorites.
A Global Sporting Icon
The Burnie Gift is one of the longest-running continuous sporting events in the world, predating even the first modern Olympic Games by seven years. Held every year on New Year’s Day (with only brief interruptions during World War II), the Burnie Gift has earned its place in the annals of world sport. In the mid-1970s, the carnival reached new heights, with over 20,000 spectators attending the 1975 New Year’s Day event—a massive turnout for a town of just 17,000 people at the time.
Celebrating Milestones
We have marked many significant anniversaries over the years. In 2017, we celebrated 130 years since the first carnival and 100 years of the Burnie Wheel. In 2019, the Burnie Gift celebrated 130 years since its inaugural race in 1889.
Working with the Council
The Burnie Athletic Club has developed a close working relationship with the Burnie City Council and has stepped up to manage the Burnie Ten and 321-GO events when the Council decided to move away from running them. The Council has supported the club financially in running these events and ensuring that West Park and other facilities are presented in the best condition possible. The Council acknowledges the club’s efforts to inspire the wider population to become active and adopt healthy lifestyle choices through organized sports or personal pursuits, promoting fitness and wellbeing.
A Part of World Sporting History
The Burnie Gift and the Burnie Athletic Club are not just local treasures—they are part of world sporting history.
Recognized by the National Trust as one of Tasmania’s top ten heritage icons, the Burnie Carnival continues to inspire and excite athletes and fans alike.