The event that shot then-Ballarat university student Matt Wiltshire to national fame has been global heritage listed.
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International Association of Athletics Federations has announced Stawell Gift as a location for the World Athletics Heritage Plaque.
Stawell Gift was one of 11 locations announced at a ceremony in Yokohama, Japan on the eve of the IAAF World Relays.
Ballarat athletes have a rich history in the event with Wiltshire the latest to win the sash for the headline race in 2012. Running off eight metres, Wiltshire blitzed the field in a time of 12.22 seconds including Australian sprint showman John Steffenson, who pulled a hamstring leading into the gates.
Re-live the race below
Wiltshire's effort was backed up by POD Squad stablemates Holly Dobbyn (2014), Grace O'Dwyer (2015) and Tahlia Martin (2016) capturing the women's titles.
O'Dwyer was the first female to win the women's event on parity. Watch below
READ MORE: Ballarat Matt the talk of the town
READ MORE: Grace O'Dwyer wins richest Women's Gift ever
The IAAF honour puts the Stawell Gift alongside athletes such as Jesse Owens, Emil Zatopek and Australia's Betty Cuthbert as past recipients of the award.
The plaque is a location-based recognition which highlights, celebrates and links together iconic and historic athletics careers, cities, competitions, culture, landmarks, performances and venues around the world.
The Stawell Gift is among 31 other sites where the plaques are located.
Stawell Athletic Club president Darryle Harrison said the re-confirms the Stawell Gift is an icon of Australian sport woven into the fabric of Australian culture.
READ MORE: 2019 Stawell Gift told in pictures
"The Stawell Athletic Club committee works tirelessly to deliver such a significant event that the people of Stawell, Victoria and Australia can be proud of," he said.
"The announcement of the Stawell Gift as a location for an IAAF World Athletics Heritage plaque is a celebration of the efforts of the committee members, athletes, spectators, supporters and sponsors throughout the history of the event who have made a contribution to what the Stawell Gift is.
"It is with immense pride and gratitude that we accept this honour and look forward with excitement to the unveiling of the plaque at the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame in 2020."
Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council Cr Kevin Erwin said it was a credit to everyone involved.
"To be in such elite company is a great honour," Cr Erwin said. "The town of Stawell should also be incredibly proud to be a part of this 141-year old event, as this really is the pinnacle of recognition for this prestigious event."
A uniquely designed plaque will be permanently and publicly displayed at the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame.
The only other Australian recipient of the IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque is legendary athlete, Betty Cuthbert.
The 138th edition of the Stawell Gift was hosted on April 20-22, 2019.
Dhruv Rodrigues Chico won the men's Stawell Gift and Alexia Loizou claimed the crown in the women's Gift.
The 139th Stawell Gift will take place on April 11-13, 2020.
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