This year the event will be Athletics NSW sanctioned for the first time, meaning athletes may use the event to qualify for the national championships in March and April.

Dubbo Athletics Club coach Mark Penman said it was “massive” for country athletes.

“Generally they have to travel pretty far to go set these times, like it might be down at Wollongong, it might be Sydney, or Newcastle,” he said.

“But to be able to, on your own track, in your own backyard, against some really good competition that are going to travel here, it gives them a really good chance to get those times.

“What’s exciting is that there’s going to be a lot of athletes travelling from out of town that are also up amongst the best in the state, so it’s going to be some really good competition.”

Barden Park is considered a fast track, meaning some records could also fall across the two days.

It’s a shortened edition of the carnival this year, with events scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday morning only.

The Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions have been scrapped, and the schedule has been curated to cater to the most athletes whilst avoiding the worst of the searing Dubbo sun.

Little Athletics NSW and Athletics NSW representative Mick Gardiner is driving this year’s event, the state bodies coming in to help when it seemed the Dubbo Athletics Club might need to postpone the event for a year.

“Outside of the Sydney area, it’s probably the best track in NSW so that’s a big drawcard for metro families,” he said.

“It also gives another opportunity to qualify for nationals.

“I’m not sure how the heat will go over the weekend but hopefully we’ll see some qualifying times and throws.”

Gardiner thanked Dubbo Regional Council and Hit93.5 Dubbo for their support of the event.

“It’s got a lot of history behind it,” he said.

“Our concern was that if it was postponed for one year, then it wouldn’t start up again so it was quite important to keep that history and help out.

“Our role is to support the local clubs and this is a prime example of when they needed our support.”

Penman’s daughter Ella is among the athletes expected to do well this weekend, with the 12-year-old taking on the 800-metre and 1500-metre track events.

Other athletes to watch include 2017 Dubbo Stampede Cheetah Chase medallist Lachlan Townsend, “gun” hurdler Maya Piras and Mudgee sprinter Alesha Bennetts.

Aside from their school state and national championships, the carnival will be one of the first opportunities for juniors to run a qualifying time this season.

“I do believe that’s going to be a big attraction, having that [Athletics NSW] permit,” Penman said.

“This year, I don’t think that the word probably got out early enough but in future years, I’m sure once people know that this has got a permit, people are going to put it in their calendars.”