Launceston marathoner Clark issued a ringing endorsement of the event.

“It's by far my favourite race in Tasmania,” she said.  

“There's so many iconic parts of Hobart you get to experience and racing over the Tasman Bridge on a Sunday morning is something special you can't do any other day of the year.”

Clark, 29, was Australia's highest placed marathoner in Rio, placing 18^th, and has since moved home from New South Wales and is enjoying the training surrounds.  

After a long injury layoff over 2017-18, Clark is looking forward to reaching full fitness and challenging her 10km personal best of 33:24.  

“Being back in Tasmania now is so refreshing.  I did the Sydney thing for a few years, but I love living in Tasmania.  The running is sensational and the sense of community just isn't replicated anywhere else.

“I've been doing some training in Launceston with Karinna Fyfe (33:56) recently and she is moving well, so I'd expect her to be right up there in the finish also.”

Mitchell (PB 32:59) returns as the only previous winner, taking the 2016 title in 33:33 and is looking forward to adding another crown.  

“I have great memories,” she said. “It was one of my biggest victories on the road running circuit. It’s not often I beat Eloise Wellings, but i did that day! It was a surprising win and I hope I can surprise myself again this year.”

Known for sporting fluoro bright pink hair when she runs at major championships, the 36-year-old has represented Australia at the 2008 and 2016 Olympics, along with three Commonwealth Games and three world championships over her favoured 3000m steeplechase distance.  

However the Albury-based runner said she loves the running scene in Tasmania.

“I always enjoy going to Tassie as there is a great running culture and the support is fabulous!" 

Canadian Seccafien came third last year.  The 28-year-old (PB 33:34) ran the 5000m at the Rio Olympics and steps up to the 10km road race in her first race outing since the 2018 European summer. 

The women's elite field for the February 17 event also includes Tasmanians Mel Daniels (30, of Hobart, PB 34:00), Kate Pedley (35, of Launceston, PB 34:37) and Meriem Daoui (20, of Hobart, PB 34:39).

Close to 4000 participants are expected to line up in the event which has been granted hosting rights for the 2019 IAAF Oceania Area 10km Championships.

For the second year in a row, the Tasman Bridge will be fully closed from 7-9am on Sunday, February 17, during the race.

Race director Richard Welsh said: “Hosting the Oceania Area Championships is brilliant for the event, acknowledging the hard work and professionalism from over 150 people who work on it.  

“We already offered the largest first prize of any 10km event in Australia, with the 'battle of the sexes' winner taking home $5000, and to have an international title on offer helps take Hobart to another level.

“The quality of the elite athletes assembled again in 2019 is world class.  We've got six Olympians and that number again in those who have represented their country.”

Welsh said the strength of the elite field would motivate all participants.  

“The significance of that is higher than most sports however, because everyday runners and walkers get to stand on the same start line, mix with them and do the exact same event.”