Fearnley will make his Hunter Track Classic debut at Glendale on January 31 when he takes on the likes of 2014 Chicago Marathon winner Josh George in the inaugural 1600-metre race.

The 2015 Hunter Track Classic, the sixth of its kind, was launched at Glendale’s Hunter Sports Centre ­yesterday, with event supporter and commentator David Robertson the host of proceedings.

“The big one has to be the wheelchair event with an international field for the new Wheelies Magic Mile,” Robertson said.

“Headed up by Kurt Fearnley, the Hunter’s very own, an absolute legend, and I haven’t got enough words to describe how good he is.

“He’ll be making his Hunter Track Classic debut and will be racing the likes of Josh George, who recently won the Chicago Marathon and a Commonwealth Games, Paralympic athlete.

“It will be fantastic to see the ­wheelies going around here.”

Also on the cards this time will be half a traditional relay, a shorter 2x100m race, and a community 1000m challenge open to the public.

“We’ve got a really exciting relay concept to unleash, which is the 2x100m relay,” Robertson said.

“Two runners, one baton, one bend – run like crazy and see who can get to the finish first.

“We’ve also got the community 1000m if you’re thinking about getting along and getting out on the track ­yourself.

“You can run 1000m, two-and-half-laps, bring your mates along, if you do parkrun or run during the week, come along because you can get a little taste of the Hunter Track Classic as well.”

Hunter heptahlete Sophie Stanwell, who finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year, and Central 

Coast-based 2014 World Junior Championships 800m bronze medallist Georgia Wassall, have been confirmed for the Hunter Track Classic and attended yesterday’s launch.

Australian representatives Nick Hough, Brittany McGowan, Michael Roeger, Hamish Peacock, Angus Gould and Luke Mathews are also on the list, along with local distance ­runner Celia Sullohern.

There will be 25 track and field events, including the Hunter’s Fastest Kid, for more than 300 ­able-bodied and para-athletes to ­contest.

The Hunter Track Classic remains part of the Australian Athletics Tour and will follow the opening January 25 event in Hobart.

The tour continues to Canberra (February 7), Perth (February 14), Adelaide (February 21), Brisbane (March 7), Sydney (March 14) and Melbourne (March 21).