The Edmond Cup, one of the most highly regarded races in Otago athletics, was first held in 1907 and has been won by some of the greats of Otago athletics.
Callan Moody (22), a physical education student at the University of Otago, won by two seconds last year from clubmate and fellow university student Nathan Baxter in 36min 39sec.
Moody is one of the most talented distance runners in Otago and has the potential to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. He finished third in the Edmond Cup in 2008, won last year, has the finishing speed and just has to be in contact with 800m left to win the event again.
Baxter, the Otago cross-country champion, is the workhorse who gets his results through hard and consistent training.
Challenging this pair is the experienced Dougal Thorburn (Ariki), who gained fastest time in the Barnes cross-country two weeks ago. Thorburn (29), a Dunedin doctor, has the endurance and experience to win the senior men's race.
He leads an Ariki team expected to again win the six-man teams race over the 10km distance. Thorburn is an experienced mountain runner and has represented New Zealand at the world championships. He has also competed in the Coast to Coast.
The back-up men in the Ariki team are Tim Dobier, Chris Weddell, Greg Brockbank, Chris Weddell, Xaviour Walker, Chris Tipper and Alastair Chisnall.
Kirsty Morris (Leith), who won last year, is the favourite to win the women's race from clubmates Sue Cuthbert and Megan Balchin, who gained fastest time in the Barnes cross-country.
The starting times are 1.30pm for senior women and 2.35pm for senior men.
