A total of 47 athletes make up 13 teams to compete at Jells Park in the cross country relays.

Each athlete in the open and 40+ men’s and women’s teams will run two laps, with the juniors running one circuit of a challenging 3km loop.

The Ballarat squad boasts three Australian representatives, multiple national champions and a strong brigade of young runners that have achieved at national level.

Duer Yoa leads the men’s division one team alongside in-form athletes Jack Davies and Nic Van Raaphorst. The strong team welcomes the return of Daniel Lewry, while Matthew Blood and the much-improved Dean Ryan make up the team of six.

David Grigg leads the division two team and the under-16 line-up of Nick Fidler, Harry Sharp and Matthew Catterson should do well based on current form.

Ballarat’s youthful women’s open team has Australian representative Courtney Scott supporting class athletes Natasha Typuszak, Karla Treweek and Kellie McLeod. Four-time XCR country athlete of the year Angela Williams makes up the team of five.

Bree Sharp, Alison Fidler and Jenny Kisler combine in the 40+ women’s team and the talented women’s under-18 outfit of Katherine Dowie, Amy Canavan and Tahlee VanRoosmalen should also do well.

Athletes travelling by bus are asked to meet at Llanberris on Saturday morning for a 9am departure.