There is a sense of equality about the 64th edition of the Peninsula Relay today.
Prominent Dunedin clubs Ariki and Hill City-University have opted to enter mixed teams as opposed to entering gender-based teams.
Any of the three teams entered from Hill City-University are more than capable, but it is the club's No 3 team that offers a rare opportunity for the O'Sullivan brothers, Elliot and Oliver, to win back-to-back gold medals from one of the back marks.
Should they do so, they will join a select group to have won the event in two consecutive years and three times overall.
The brothers were members of a talented men's team that blitzed its way around the 38.5km course from the back mark last year, claiming both line and fastest time honours in 2hr 9min 59sec.
It was the second time the brothers struck gold on the peninsula. They won their first title in 2005, also from a back mark.
There is plenty of talent in the Hill City-University No 3 team.
It includes Shauna Pali, fresh from winning the senior women's title at the Otago cross-country championships, Sam Bremer, who claimed the junior title last week, Kirsty O'Sullivan, wife of Elliot and a four-time Edmond Cup champion, Deborah Lynch, Alex Sims and Doug Hancock.
The Ariki White team includes husband and wife Mark and Jess Smith, father and daughter Brent and Melissa Halley, and seasoned performers Dave Catherwood, Bryce Saunders, Drew Costello and Russell Lund.
Caversham's Ben Anderson will be under the spotlight based on his performances over recent weeks.
He heads a strong team of junior athletes that will also be a strong contender for fastest time honours.
Jonah Smith, Sam Hopper, Kenneth McDonald sen, Zinzan Smith, Lorenz Kissling, Andrew Smith and David White have self belief to burn, and are all capable of unleashing plenty of speed.
The eight-leg relay is a team handicap event that had its origins in 1950. With course modifications over recent years, due to increased traffic flow, the 38.5km journey begins on John Wilson Ocean Dr, with the first team starting at 11.30am.
After encompassing Highcliff Rd and Cape Saunders, it finishes at Macandrew Bay. The first team is expected to finish about 2.30pm.
