The former Stawell runner has suffered from compartment syndrome since 2014, a debilitating medical condition in his legs which put a hold on his promising running career.

The 23-year-old has endured three lots of surgery to both legs since his breakout year in 2014. In that season he won five races including a double at his home event, the Stawell Gift. 

Since then he has struggled with injury but he is now fit and firing ahead of this weekend.

Cowen recorded his first win in four years at the Parkdale Gift last weekend, taking out the 800 metre race to return to the winners list.

The Melbourne-based athlete said he is feeling as good as he ever has.

“I am probably in the best form than I ever have been,” he said. “It has been a tough few years with a lot of injuries and surgeries but I have been training for about 12 months now so everything is coming together nicely.”

Cowen now lives in Melbourne but he said the Stawell Gift remains a special event for him.

“I raced last year but this will be my first real crack in a while at Stawell,” he said. “It has been a few years since I lived in Stawell but whenever I race I still put it as my home town.

“The town has always been massively supportive of me so it will be great to be back.

“Hopefully there will be a nice big home crowd full of support.”

Cowen returns to the Stawell Gift this weekend competing in both the 800 metre and 1600m backmarker races alongside a fellow Stawell athlete.

The 1600m backmarker event has been dominated by Stawell runners in recent years, with Cowen having won the title in 2014 and Stawell Secondary College Student Tom Walker going into this year’s Gift as the reigning champion.

Cowen will race off a handicap of 120, the same Walker ran off for his victory last year.

Cowen said he can not explain why the race has been a favourite for Stawell runners.

“It is a tough one to figure out,” he said.

“It is great to see Stawell runners having success though. Tom is really coming along in leaps and bounds so I can’t wait to see how he goes this weekend.

“Fingers crossed we meet in the final.”

The young student athlete Walker is coming off a whirlwind 12 months where he dominated everywhere he raced.

Multiple state and national championships appearances and victories were capped off by a double win at the Terang Gift in December.

Walker said it started with his win at Stawell last year.

“My run of form sort of started last Easter and I have been able to keep improving since,” he said.

“I have a bit of a tougher handicap in the 1600 this year but I am looking forward to the challenge.

“Having won last year and Ash winning the same race previously it is pretty iconic for Stawell.”

Walker will compete in the 1600m backmarker handicap and the 3200m handicap.

The junior athlete also made a return to football this year, with his season to start a little later than the rest of his Stawell Warriors teammates. 

“I won’t be playing on Good Friday to make sure I am in the best shape for the Gift,” he said.

“I have really just been taking it easy the last few days – it is just about relaxing for the moment.

Walker said the overriding feeling for him leading into the weekend is excitement.

“I went for a run on Central Park this week and the ground is in terrific condition,” he said.

“It is just great to be able to race in front of my home crowd again.”

Cowen shared in Walker’s sentiments. 

“I am pumped – I have been losing sleep already to be honest,” Cowen said.

Stephen Baird and Minh Vu will also be flying the flag for Stawell at the weekend.​