This event doubles as the Victorian Country Cross Country Championships.

A new meeting on this year’s XCR program to replace Lardner Park, Wandin Park is the first of the individual events.

Situated an hour east of Melbourne, the course will challenge runners’ strength and fitness with its undulating hills.

Ballarat athletes will be keen to perform well to build on their team ladder positions and claim country titles.

Nick Fidler looks strong enough to take out the under-16 age group.

The current Australian 2000m steeplechase champion is training well and in red-hot form, having recently ran sub 20 minutes for the lap of the lake.

Angela Williams claimed the 40+ and country title last year and appears the one to beat again in 2016.

Williams will begin her assault on a fifth-straight XCR champion athlete award and her son Sam will be running for a third aggregate title.

Paul Burge should do well in the 40+ category and Katherine Dowie will be a contender for the under-18 championship.

First year runner Lily Gilbert should be an early finisher in the under-14 event, while Ballarat competitors are pleased to have 2014 under-20 winner Jack Davies back in the BRAC singlet.

In the open men’s country race, Ballarat’s Nic Van Raaphorst will be in contention after strong performances at the recent Jells Park relays.