Sam Bremer missed the entire summer track season through injury, but will line up in one of Hill City-University’s teams competing at the University of Otago Oval.
The 22-year-old had enjoyed a stellar 2016-17 summer in both the 800m and 1500m.
However, he was unable to train at the end of last year because of shin splints and was forced to take a break.
He has been back training for two months now and the discomfort has gone.
Having cruised around the track in the trial for the event, he was looking forward to getting back into racing.
However, there was a mixture of excitement and relief at the prospect of the race.
"I’ve just been nervous for a long time, because I know it could come back at any stage.
"But I’m just feeling relieved that it hasn’t flared up yet."
In the Lovelock Relays, teams of four — or six in the case of the senior men — run a 1500m leg each.
With a lack of strength from the other clubs, Hill City-University has split its talent this year to increase the competition. It will field two strong-looking teams and Bremer said that should make for a close race.
Notable among his team is 5000m national champion Oli Chignell.
The other team will be led by Jared Monk and Jacob Priddey.
There would also be senior women’s, masters, high school, under-12 and social grades.
Bremer said that while historically the race was probably a bigger deal, it remained a prestigious title to win.
Exerting dominance early in the winter season was always good from a club point of view.
It also offered a good balance for the cross-country runners and the track middle-distance runners.
"The Lovelocks is good because it’s only 1500m, so there’s no excuse for the track guys to not show up and do well.
"It sort of levels the playing field a bit.
"The cross-country guys are still on grass, so it slightly favours them a bit there and it’s short enough that the track guys still get a look in."
Bremer has plans to head to Europe to race in 2019, and is more confident of that happening now he is returning to racing.
At this stage he will race the winter season in Dunedin and remain for the summer season in New Zealand and Australia, before heading over.
The Lovelock Relays begin at 1.30pm with the social race.
The senior women’s event will be run at 2.55pm and the senior men’s will start at 3.20pm.
