OLYMPIC legend Cathy Freeman will fire the starter's pistol for the 2026 Telstra AFL Grand Final Sprint, with Gold Coast's Jed Walter returning after he won the race last year.
Walter headlines the group of eight runners who will participate in this year's race, held during the half-time break of this year's Grand Final.
>> SEE THE FULL LIST OF SPRINTERS BELOW
Six other AFL players will take part, while Tasmania will be represented by Brandon Leary ahead of the Devils' entry into the competition in 2028.
Freeman, who famously won gold in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will fire the gun for the 100m dash on the MCG turf.
"I'm really excited to fire the starting pistol for the Telstra Half-Time Sprint," Freeman said.
"AFL Grand Final Day is such a massive occasion, and I can't wait to see who takes home this year's Telstra Half-Time Sprint title and the 2026 AFL Premiership."
Telstra will make a $5000 donation to the winner’s junior football club.
2026 Telstra Half-Time Sprint
Ollie Florent (Carlton)
Jed Walter (Gold Coast)
Jarman Impey (Hawthorn)
Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide)
Brandon Leary (Tasmania Devils)
Willem Duursma (West Coast)
Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs)
