Grace, 15, will tackle under-16 100m and 200m races, while Holly, 12, will stretch herself a little further in the under-14 100m, 200m and 400m events.

But the Wendouree Athletic Club will not gauge their success by medals.

It will primarily be racing against itself – striving to improve personal bests.

Each member has a relaxed approach to running.

Grace began competing with Wendouree juniors and Ballarat Little Aths.

“It’s a way of keeping fit,” she said.

She said she also had friends involved.

Grace said her main goal in the sport was to push herself, improving her performance on the track and in cross-country in winter.

For Holly it is all about fun, having followed her sister and her father Warren into athletics.

And fun is what she plans on having in the three-day championships, which start tonight at Llanberris Athletic Centre.

More than 700 athletes will be competing.

Tonight’s highlights will include the 5000m walk, which is the opening track event at 4pm, 200m and 400m hurdles, 1500m and 5000m, and high jump.