However, while preparing the Collegiate relay team for their upcoming Colgate Games races yesterday, Athletics Whanganui guru Alec McNab said Russell Sears and the Whanganui Sports Heritage group were working very hard to confirm some top runners for the Mile race.
"It's an important part of the second part of the [athletics] season, these weeks," said McNab.
"We want to add to the magic of this place.
"We're working hard to keep it because once it's gone, it's gone."
Last year, Wellington's Hamish Carson and Napier's Eric Speckman joined the race winner Willis in going under the four minute mark, each receiving a cash bonus for doing so, while Matthews and Australian Craig Huffer both went very close in a quality race.
McNab said they have lined up some other 'main events' to compliment the mile race.
The javelin will be contested as a handicap, which allows New Zealand's Rio Paraolympics silver medallist and flag bearer Holly Robinson, 22, to compete alongside the able-bodied athletes.
Also elevated in importance is the hurdles events, which has allowed the classic to attract Singapore prospect Kristen Ong and one of her compariots to take part.
McNab said a group of Japanese distance runners are basing themselves in Palmerston North this month to take part in the series, and also taking part is a contingent of ten Australians, led by 24-year-old 800m specialist Alexander Rowe, who has represented his country at the world championships.
There will also be the members of the Aspiring Athletics Tour who will fill out spots across the disciplines.
While another Olympian in veteran javelin competitor Stuart Farquhar retired after Rio, his Manawatu protege Ben Langton-Burnell is looking to take his first steps on the road to Tokyo 2020.
McNab said the event may also hold a special ceremony to honour the running champions who have broken the 4 Minute Mile in Whanganui.
Since Peter Snell broke the world record on January 27, 1962, a sub-four minute mile has been recorded 63 times at Cooks Gardens.
Well known running names like Willis and Dick Quax would be among those who would be recognised for the achievement.