The Victorian Athletic League organises professional running events across Victoria. The most famous of these events is the Stawell Gift which has been run since 1878. There are many other Gift meetings run across Victoria during a season at places such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Maryborough, Keilor and Ringwood.
Races are run over distances ranging from 70 metres to 3,200 metres under a handicap system that ensures that every runner is given the opportunity to be competitive in any race.