Middle-distance star Jack Rayner is looking to end a rollercoaster year with another title in the annual Zatopek:10 track challenge in Melbourne on Saturday night.
In its 64th year, the Lakeside Stadium event has attracted some of Australia's top athletes with Rayner hunting his fourth consecutive 10,000 metre title.
Last year Rayner was overtaken by flying Irishman Andrew Coscoran (27 minutes 56.37 seconds) on the final bend, but the Victorian still took the national title as the first home runner over the line in 27:57.87.
He became the first Australian since Stewart McSweyn in 2017-19 to win three straight 10,000m crowns.
The legendary Ron Clarke holds the overall record with five Zatopek men's 10,000m titles, ahead of Steve Moneghetti and Andrew Lloyd with four apiece.
After injury cut short his Olympics debut, withdrawing early in the marathon in Tokyo, Rayner's hopes of competing in Paris were dashed when he missed selection.
He broke his own national record competing in California in March, crossing in 27:09.57, but injury meant he was unable to crack the Paris qualifying mark for the 10,000m which was 27:00.00.
Rayner was pipped on the line for the 12km Australian national road race championships in Adelaide in September, but the 28-year-old bounced back to storm to victory in the Melbourne Marathon a month later.
"The Zatopek's got a special place for me because I've done it since I was 18 years old," Rayner posted on Instagram.
"Historically they used to have everyone come out on the track and everyone would be around a little string right on the track which was kind of cool.
"I just love that aspect."
South Australian Isaac Heyne, who edged in him in Adelaide, will be in the field while Tasmanian Sam Clifford has been in impressive form.
Marathoner Brett Robinson will be looking to wind back the clock, last winning the 25-lap Zatopek in 2020.
Paris Olympian and Australian record-holder Lauren Ryan headlines the women's field, as she looks to defend her 2023 title.
The US-based Ryan - a Victorian who now lives in Baltimore - was 13th in the 10,000m in Paris in 31:23.15, the fastest time by an Australian woman at an Olympics.
But the 26-year-old is expected to be challenged by former race winners Leanne Pompeani and Rose Davies.
Pompeani recently won the Burnie10 and the Melbourne Half Marathon.
In other events, Olympic discus bronze medallist Matt Denny will compete in the shot put for the first time since 2015.
The women's Open 3000m will also be a highlight, featuring Olympians Linden Hall and Abbey Caldwell.
