The 37-year-old will attempt to simulate Rio de Janeiro race conditions over the flat 10km Launceston course, as a precursor to her third Olympic marathon. 

“This race is great,” she said of the Launceston 10.

“The only downside from the Rio perspective is that it’s going to be a bit chilly in Launceston, so if we can turn the temperature up a bit that would be good.

“But a flat 10k is always a good indicator of how you’re going, how your strength is and obviously a less risky run from an injury perspective.”

Weightman took out the Launceston 10 in 2008, 2012 and 2013 – twice amid past Olympic Games campaigns – and said running the race takes greater importance during Olympic years.

Weightman ran 33^rd at Beijing and 17^th at London.

“Training is a little bit different – you try a few tweaks here and there, and get a little bit more out of yourself and learn more after every time you race,” she said.

Weightman pulled up with sore quadriceps from a “very hilly” Sydney Morning Herald Half-Marathon this month.

“I’m still dealing with that at the moment,” she said.

The Melbourne runner has a race informant living in Rio who has been drip-feeding information back to Weightman on the “really flat” course, adding that it’s by the water so to expect the marathon to be a “bit windy”. 

She also has the option of course inspections at Rio. 

“Obviously, it will be a lot hotter than Launceston and in Melbourne,” she said.

But Weightman plans to head up to northern New South Wales for warmer training after Launceston.

Still, Weightman can’t fault the Launceston 10 event.

“The people are wonderful and it’s wonderful being part of a community event. I know all the elite runners enjoy coming down together and having our pre-race toast at the bakery,” she said.

“It’s lovely that Tasmania is always looking out for the running community and it certainly has contributed to helping us achieve our goals.”