While he missed out the $1000 bonus for completing the distance in under four minutes, there was still plenty of reasons to smile after he took the lead about halfway through the final lap to charge away with the win in 4:02.35 in front of a vocal crowd at West Park.

It came after the “Mayor of King Island” was fourth in the Latrobe 1600m and second in the Devonport Mile.

“Breaking four minutes on grass is pretty hard, and I think there has only been one guy in Australia that has done it, so I knew it was going to be hard,’’ said McSweyn, who started off scratch.

“I think the wind played a part as I knew on that first lap that it felt a lot harder than a 63 (seconds), but I just tried to knuckle down and get as close as I could, and a 4:02 in those conditions, I’m very happy as it shows I am moving well heading into 2019.

”Growing up on King Island, there is probably the Burnie Ten and the Burnie Gift are the two races you hear the most about, as you see them on TV and you see ads leading up to the races.

“I ticked off the Burnie Ten again this year (in 2018), so to win the mile this year, it is really special.”

What was also exciting for the 23-year-old was what the win could mean for his upcoming season, as he looks to back-up a 2018 where he seemingly set distance records for fun.

“I look back on this time last year and I am definitely in better shape than I was, so it is kind of exciting looking back on the season I had knowing I am ahead of where I was last year.

“I am hoping I can lift my game again, so it was pretty exciting this type of performance.”

He described the race as a “bit of a dogfight” due to the windy conditions at West Park, but sitting behind other competitors until that last lap made it slightly easier for him.

“But everyone runs in the same conditions, so I had to go in and give it 100 per cent,” he said.

Deon Kenzie was second and James Hansen third.