Nick Willis is edging closer to retirement but there are two major events that beckon.
The world championships in Beijing in August and next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are looming large for the Kiwi middle-distance runner.
Willis' season runs from November to September and the early stages of each calendar year involve a trip Downunder where he usually contests a series of meetings. After racing at indoor events in New York and Boston next month he will take part in the Auckland Track Challenge at Waitakere's Douglas Track and Field stadium on February 26.
Willis will line up against New Zealand twins Zane and Jake Robertson in the 5000m, alongside 2006 Commonwealth Champion Augustine Choge from Kenya and the leading Australians as they look to qualify for the world championships.
The last time he raced the Robertsons in a 5000m -- at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games -- it ended in tears. Willis accidentally tripped Jake, who then watched his brother win bronze.