In her first race of 2026, Sha'Carri Richardson delivered a remarkable performance at the Stawell Gift, held annually at Central Park in Victoria, Australia. The historic 120m handicap race allows slower runners to start with a head start, but Richardson, the reigning Olympic silver medallist, began from scratch. Despite this challenge, she quickly caught up to her competitors, finishing her heat in 13.82 seconds. Describing the experience as 'like being a kid again, playing tag,' Richardson emphasized the joy of racing and the unique opportunity to engage different racing instincts. With only two women ever winning the Stawell Gift from scratch, Richardson's performance positions her as a serious contender for the title.