Former 100-metre Australian record holder Gerrard Keating is coming home for Ballarat's richest footrace. He said it would mark his first ever appearance at the event.

"I never had that chance or opportunity because the Ballarat Gift was usually the same time as the Queensland titles and I could never get down for it," he said.

"I can't wait, it can't come soon enough."

Raised in Ballarat, Keating left as an 18-year-old to take up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport. After returning to the city briefly, he moved to Queensland where he has remained since.

"I was only supposed to be there for three months and ended up staying, but I really missed Ballarat," he said.

Keating won the Australian 100-metre championship in 1986 and has made appearances at the Commonwealth Games and the world championships. He wen't on to coach 2007 Stawell Gift winner Nathan Allen following his retirement.

Now a full time coach, he will bring a stable of six Queensland runners with him to Ballarat - all of whom will compete in the 120-metre showcase.

"I'll be there with them and supporting them and showing them where greatness was born in Ballarat," he said with a laugh.

"I'm really excited to bring them, I talk about it a lot to them so it's really special to me to bring them."

Among runners will be 18-year-old Leroy Reid and 15-year-old sensation Torrie Lewis.

Keating said Reid had won silver medals at the Australian national titles, while Lewis is widely considered the 'next big thing' in Australian female sprinting.

"I discovered her about four years ago and she's amazing," Keating said.