SOME of the country's fastest professional runners will hit Alexandra Oval tomorrow afternoon for the annual Highlands Sports Society Ararat Gift.
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Organisers of the Victorian Athletic League meeting are thrilled with the number of entries for this year's event, with more than 100 extra nominations received compared with 2013.
Joe Perry, president of the Ararat Highland Sports Society, said last year's event clashed with the prestigious Bay Sheffield meeting in South Australia, however with a slight change to the schedule it has made Ararat an inviting prospect.
"I think that comes down to the date more than anything else," he said.
"We now have a weekend where we are the only gift meeting around and it is a week before Christmas, instead of last year which was in between Christmas and the New Year.
"They are coming from everywhere and not only do we have the extra numbers, but we have attracted quality runners as well."
In the feature event Marcus Cooper will carry the hopes of Ararat on his shoulders as he attempts to keep the Tom McDonald Memorial Gift title in town.
Cooper, who has started the VAL season in sensational fashion with two gift victories to his name already, said his preparation heading into this race won't be conventional.
"I'm working in the morning so I'll be flat out," he said.
"The plan will be get down there, eat lunch, warm up and have a run. It's not ideal at all, but what do you do, it is your hometown gift so of course you want to run in it."
Cooper said he doesn't feel well prepared ahead of this meeting, but will just head along and enjoy running in front of a local crowd.
The quest for glory at Alexandra Oval is wide open.
Previous Ararat Gift champion Robert Lehmann is one to watch, having ran a close second to winner John Hilditch in the final of the Terang Gift. Both runners will be eager to claim the Ararat sash and $5000 winner's cheque tomorrow.
Last season's Bendigo Gift winner Robert Spencer will also be competing in the 120-metre open event and should make it through to at least the semis.
Also among a number of strong contenders are Jason Baily, Cam Dunbar and Mark Hignett who have consistently made gift finals already this season.
For a preview of local competitors see Cooper stable confident ahead of Ararat Gift.