Tasmanian runner Stewart McSweyn is in the best form of his life.
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The 21-year-old from King Island is set to compete in his first ever Burnie Ten on Sunday and has been tipped to be one of the front-runners at the finish line.
McSweyn, who now runs in Victoria, has dominated on the track in 2016 and has set a number of Tasmanian records along the way.
A specialist in the steeplechase, McSweyn set a new Tasmanian record in the 5000 metre open race at the Hobart Briggs Classic this year and also won his first Australian title, taking out the open men’s event at the national cross-country championships in Canberra in August.
He comes into the Burnie Ten following a first place last weekend at the Melbourne Marathon Festival where he took out the 10km run.
McSweyn said it had been a long time since he last competed in his home state and he was hoping for success on his return.
“I love racing down in Tassie and I actually haven’t raced down there in about two years,” McSweyn said.
I love racing down in Tassie and I actually haven’t raced down there in about two years
- Stewart McSweyn
“So I’m really looking forward to running in Burnie and hopefully getting the result.
“I feel like I’m in really good shape.
“Coming off a European season I was always going to be in pretty good form so I’m happy with where I’m at ahead of Burnie.”
McSweyn finished the 10km run in Melbourne in a time of 30.46 and said it was a strong lead-up to this Sunday.
“It was a really good hit out for me.
“Especially if the pace isn’t that fast in Burnie then Melbourne gave me a good hit out going into it anyway.”
The men’s competition will include last year’s winner Brett Robinson who McSweyn said he knew well.
“I train with Brett so I know him really well and he will certainly be the hardest man to beat.
“We know how each other is going and he is a real mentor to me as well so I’m looking forward to taking him on.”
Despite coming from Tasmania, McSweyn said he had never competed in Burnie before but he had seen success in past events in his home state.
“I actually have never raced in Burnie, I’ve run the Launceston Ten a few times a few years back and have done pretty well.
“Following the Burnie Ten I’m racing a five kilometre event in Noosa where I’ll be up against Brett [Robinson] again.
“After that I’ll be heading to Falls Creek to train for the Zatopek 10 which is the national 10km title.”
The Burnie Ten will begin at 11am this Sunday.
