Kate Jones will run in three events, with a focus on the women’s 120m necklace – she will be joined by father John, brother Nathan and younger sister Bethany.

Jones said she enjoyed starting the New Year at Maryborough, even more so given it has become a family affair for the Jones’.

“It is nice because we’re all there as a family,” Jones said.

“It’s very family-friendly, the whole meet.”

Jones Is looking forward to what will be a jam-packed day for the Ballarat runner.

Jones will “blow out a few cobwebs” in the early races in the hope of being primed for the Necklace.

The focus over the summer has been on starting strong.

Acceleration off the marker something Jones felt she had to improve if she was to produce more consistent results.

A needs-based strength and conditioning program has ensured the training has been geared towards this aspect, it was now a matter of delivering it on raceday.

“I’ve been trying to keep everything consistent.

“What I’m trying to focus on is just putting everything together.

“Last season I was starting really poorly and finishing really hard at the end, so I’m just trying to run as many meets as I can to try and get that all together.

“I was reacting well, but I just had no power behind me. 

“Just trying to get that acceleration at the start, once that all clicks, it should be all good.

“I don’t really look at the field, because to me it doesn’t really matter, I’ve just got to do what I’ve got to do.”

The Maryborough Gift has again received a strong number of entries with more than 520 athletes set to compete – about 30 more than last year. 

While the strong man competition has more than doubled, now with 22 competitors. 

Set to commence at 11.30am.