The 57 year-old will run in the open 70 metre event as well as the veteran's 100m this Easter, looking to better his narrow second placing in the latter event in 1996.

On this occasion, Baird ran 10.94seconds, which in fact was the same time recorded by the winner.

The man affectionately known as `Squeak', who can be seen training at Central Park throughout the athletics season, also appears to be hitting form at just the right time.

Baird grabbed a gold and a silver medal at the recent 2008 Victorian Masters and Athletics Victoria Track and Field Championships at Olympic Park, Melbourne. His gold medal performance came in the men's 55-59 100m before claiming silver in the 200m.

"I am starting to feel like I am finding a bit of speed," Baird said.

"Hopefully it is at the right time of the season."

Baird said the time he ran in the 200m was only about a second off his personal best time, recorded more than 15 years ago.