IT DIDN'T take much to convince four-time Olympian Steve Moneghetti to sign up for this weekend's Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon.

The 52-year-old, who ran at the Sydney Games in 2000, is sure to be among the front-runners in Sunday's race.

"It will be great to get to a place where you've got a beautiful view across the ocean, I might stop and enjoy the view," he joked.

"I tend to be focussed but you'd hope you'd allow yourself to enjoy the environment."

Moneghetti is recognised as one of Australia's greatest long-distance runners having collected medals at the Commonwealth Games in 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998.

He holidayed on Hamilton Island 10 years ago and said he didn't need much of an excuse to return to the region.

"You couldn't run in a nicer place I would've thought," he said.

It won't however be all fun with Moneghetti revealing he is battling an Achilles' injury ahead of the race.

While concerned about the injury Moneghetti said his natural competitive instincts will take over once the race begins.

"I like pushing myself. I'm 52 and not running like I used to but I still like to come along and run hard," he said.

"Once the gun goes you go out there and do your best."

While Moneghetti is rated highly, he is likely to be challenged by defending champion James Tunbridge and Sam Steadman.

Headlining the field for the ladies is Mackay-based Kiwi Victoria Beck, who led home the entire field to win the Great Whitsunday Trail race last year.

Moneghetti, who still runs more than 100km a week and trains every day, will host a running clinic on Saturday for those interested in the sport.

"I've been running since 1976, there's not much I don't know about distance running," he said.

"Hopefully there are people who are interested and want to learn a few things.

"It will be a nice opportunity to have a chat and look at some people and hopefully motivate others to continue running."

Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon event organiser Steve Jackson said he was "so excited" to host a runner of Moneghetti's class.

"It's a massive honour for us," he said.

"He is a household name, whether you're a long-time runner or new to running everyone knows Steve and what he has achieved.

"To have someone of his ilk here is a massive boost for the event and he has also made himself available for the clinic so people can have a chat, get some tips and engage with him, an opportunity very few people get."