The 2015 Launceston 10 champion will again line up for this Sunday’s event and is well aware of what conditions she could be facing.

“Two years ago, I couldn’t feel my feet before the start which was a bit of a concern, but most of the time I Iike racing in the cold,” she said.

“I always love coming down to Tassie, and it will be great to get back on the circuit after months of training.”

The US-born, Sydney-based dual Olympian is set for a big 2017 having already qualified for the 10,000-metres at the world championships to be held in London during August.

The Launceston 10 forms part of her preparation for the event, with the 34-year-old also taking part in a Gold Coast 10km run as well as altitude training.

She said the layout of the Launceston 10 made it the next best thing to competing on the track.

“The shorter the distance, the more track specific you have to be,” she said.

“Events like the Launceston 10 are great because the course is all flat and you can really test yourself.”

Wellings said she is also focusing on next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast having previously competed at the event in Melbourne, New Delhi and Glasgow. ​“It’s important that I am in the best shape possible by February next year.”

In finishing tenth in the 10,000m in Rio with a 40-second personal best, Wellings recorded the best finish and time (31:14.94) of any Australian woman in the event.

Part of the Tasmanian Running Festival, the Launceston 10 will start at 10.30am.