The decision was made to cancel the 160th event due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 related restrictions will be in place come January and the reality that competitors were unable to train properly during the lead-up.

Highland Society sports secretary Nick Weaver said it was a tough decision to make.

"The board and committee involved with the gathering met and we had to make the unfortunate decision to cancel it for 2021," Weaver said.

"It's a sad decision, but it was something we needed to take full pride of and do the right thing by ensuring overall safety for the Maryborough community and everyone else that's involved."

RELATED: Maryborough Highland Gathering cancelled for 2021 due to coronavirus concerns

The athletics events at the New Year's Day meeting include 100m , 200m, 400m and 800m events, with the feature event of the day as the Max Martin Memorial Maryborough Highland Gift Final.

It isn't just any racing meet, it marks the start of the Victorian athletics season which is highly anticipated by athletes across the state and more broadly throughout Australia.

This year the men's Gift was won by Queenslander Omuvwie Fejiro (3.5m) who took victory, racing against a tough field which included the 2019 winner Rupert Lugo (8m) who finished third and JackBoulton (6m) in second.

South Australian Kayla Lemm ran to victory in the 120m women's sprint with a time of 14.256.

The Gift in 2021 would have marked the 160^th running of the event, since its inception the only other occasion the event didn't go ahead was during World War II, (1942-45).

In addition to the athletics events, the Maryborough Highland Society has also cancelled all other celebrations usually held throughout the town on New Year's Day which includes pipe bands, highland games and other entertainment.

Looking ahead, Weaver said the plan was for the gathering to make a grand return in 2022.

"Our plan is to bring back the gathering bigger and better than ever come 2022 as hopefully things can return to normal by then," Weaver said.

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