Not only has it allowed the 43-year-old to memorise where he is running on Sunday, but he now knows exactly where to look for his supporters - wife Jodie and daughter Magen.

The pair has picked out a spot where they will stand and support Keats, who will be keeping an eye out for the pom-poms which five-year-old Magen made for him.

``They're going to be around the 11-kilometre mark,'' Keats said.

``I'll be looking around for them and will give a wave if I see them.''

Keats, who has competed in the marathon a few times, will cover 42.2 kilometres on Sunday.

``I'd like to break two hours and 40 minutes,'' he said.

``Based on last year's result, it should mean I finish top 20.''

The end of the marathon is what the Warrnambool runner is looking forward to, but not because it means he gets to stop.

``It finishes at the MCG,'' he said.

``Running around on that hallow turf will be terrific.''

Keats has been running 150 to 160 kilometres a week in the lead-up to the event, which kicks off at 7.30am.

``Not many people run the full distance beforehand. ``Because of that, some will hit the wall at about 30 to 35 kilometres, when the glucagon levels subside.

``It's happened to me a couple of times.

``You just tell yourself to get to the end.''

At least 21 other Warrnambool athletes - including 18 from the Warrnambool Triathlon Club - are entering the marathon.

``It's a great camaraderie thing,'' Keats said of seeing familiar faces in a sea of runners.

``I think they're looking at about 20,000 competitors across all the races.''