The King Island distance running sensation has been announced as a starter for the Invitational 3200 metres on Easter Monday, a new race for the Stawell Gift Carnival.

McSweyn will be part of a very strong field alongside emerging young gun Matthew Ramsden, half-marathon record holder Brett Robinson, Commonwealth half-marathon champion Jack Rayner, Olympic finalist Ryan Gregson, David McNeill 10,000m Olympic finalist, and Commonwealth Games 1500m star Jordy Williamsz.

"As a kid I followed the Stawell Gift and used to watch it on television,'' McSweyn said.

"Some great names have raced at Stawell, so it will be really good to finally be a part of it. It's the biggest athletic event on TV and I get to run there, it's pretty cool.

"I know quite a few people who have run at Stawell and they all talk about the track and what awesome nick it is in for the Gift.

"I'm looking forward to it, my family from Tasmania are coming which will be special as they don't normally get to watch me run in Australia. It's not a bad way to spend Easter.

"It's an in-between distance which for me is the sweet spot. I'll be off scratch and going full tilt the whole way."

McSweyn, who broke the Australian records in the 1500m, 3000m and 10,000m last year, will be the backmarker, off scratch, with Ramsden off 40 metres and Robinson a further 15 metres in front.