James Hansen makes return at state athletics championships

This included UTAS club member James Hansen who took home first in the men's 1500m.

The race was one of his first since recovering from a sacrum injury he suffered in early 2020.

"I've pretty much had to start again from scratch and it's coming along a lot quicker than I thought," the 27-year-old said before the race.

"Today is kind of like a trial to see how I'm going with this stuff."

The national-calibre runner said making his return on his home track after five years living in Melbourne was also an added bonus.

"It's pretty cool to be back and actually running here," Hansen said.

"I feel like this is kind of a comeback run and it's cool to be able to do that in front of people you know, because when you're in Melbourne nobody knows you and you just do your own thing.

"Whereas being here you have that special, almost family feel - I've got my brother and a few good mates coming along."

Hansen will also compete in the men's 5000m on Sunday.

Paralympian and Newstead club life member Todd 'the Hulk' Hodgetts threw his highly-sought-after qualifying shot of 15.73m for his Tokyo bid.

The 32-year-old had come close to the qualifying distance in recent competitions, but said on Friday it would be extra special to make it in his former stomping ground.

Athletics Tasmania media coordinator Dominic Anastasio said it was a competitive day across all three groups.

"Not only the open athletes, for which this is the pinnacle of their season, but also the under-18s championships and we've incorporated the masters championships as well - It's really great to have everybody here competing this weekend," he said.

"The focus for a lot of the open athletes is getting to nationals which meant they needed to qualify and place at this championships."

Young Newstead running prodigy Alexander Creak had success outside of his 100m comfort zone in the men's 400m, placing first.

The championships will continue Sunday with open javelin competitions, 5000m, discus and women's shot put among other events.