Strapping onto her indoor rowing machine around dawn on Monday, Cresswell plans on improving on the 32km she rowed in blocks of 4 x 2504 metres during last year’s challenge.
Each year, thousands of indoor rowers and those on water compete for the Colgan Cup — introduced to celebrate the friendly Trans-Tasman rivalry — the award going to whichever inter-dominion country covers the most distance between dawn and dusk, with a corresponding donation being made to the RSL of both countries.
The number 2504 is particularly significant, being the date of the landing on Gallipoli on April 25.
Whether rowing 2504 metres or in blocks of greater distance, participants are encouraged to log their metres online through the Concept2 website or through RowingAustralia.com.au/indoor-rowing-events.
Several local gyms are making their Concept2 rowing machines available, free of charge, for those interested in taking part.
Cresswell, a distinguished indoor rowing athlete, has broken no less than 34 world records since taking up the sport after turning 60.
She holds 18 world records, including four which have been unbroken for the last 14 years.
She represented Australia twice at the world titles in Boston, winning silver in 2006 then gold in 2008, and at the 2009 British championships in Birmingham, where her gold medal time also set a new 2000 metre lightweight British record, which is still unbroken.
Anne said the challenge was about showing respect to a wide variety of people affected by conflict around the world.
“Taking part in the Anzac Row is a pleasant way of paying respect to any family affected by conflict, and such a safe, healthy way of doing it,” she said.