SEVERAL sprinters who have triumphed at Princes Park on New Year's Day will be back for this Thursday's running of the Max Martin Memorial Maryborough Gift 120m.
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Now in its 154th year, the $15,000 sprint classic sponsored by Bendigo Bank will honour Max Martin, long-time secretary of the Maryborough HIghland Gathering who passed away earlier this year.
Seven heats and then two semi-finals will determine the field of eight to contest the Gift final at 4.15pm.
It's been 11 years since Cam Dunbar won the Maryborough sprint classic.
Dunbar marks another New Year's Day campaign by racing off 7.75m in the first of Thursday's heats.
He has featured in many finals on the Victorian Athletics League circuit.
Opponents in his heat include Daniel Steinhauser, the Maryborough Gift champion in 2009.
Steinhauser has a mark of 8m at this carnival.
A member of an elite group to have won the Maryborough Gift on two occasions, Matt Carter has a mark of 1.25m in heat seven.
Carter achieved back-to-back Gift wins at Princes Park in 2010 and '11.
This year's winner, Lee Forrest is drawn in the fourth of Thursday's heats.
Victorious off the 7m mark at the 2014 carnival, Forrest faces a tough mark of 3.50m this time.
A big day at Maryborough includes the Graham Jacka Holden street parade from 11am.
Among the many highlights at the Gathering are the Highland Games, Highland Dancing, and highland pipe band and brass band recitals.
First athletics event on New Year's Day will be run at 10am.
Admission prices to Princes Park are $14 adult, $7 aged pension, $5 12-16 years, or $28 family (two adult, children under-16 years).
