Athletics Bendigo and the City of Greater Bendigo yesterday opened entries and launched the event’s website at the La Trobe University athletics complex in Flora Hill, chief site for the nine-day championships beginning January 4.

At least 700 competitors are expected to converge on the region for a full range of track and field events.

It will be the first time Bendigo has hosted the championships for athletes over the age of 30.

“There’s no qualifying standards for this, so anybody can run, you don’t have to be a champion,” Athletics Bendigo secretary Terry Hicks said.

“There’ll be some fantastic athletes here for their age, but they’re a lot of average people who just enjoy athletics who have the chance to come out and do something at home.

“We hope to get a lot of athletes from this region, there’s a lot of Masters athletes who compete, but not always seriously. 

“It’s a great opportunity for them to have a run in what is an international event.” 

The Oceania Masters is held every two years and rotated between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Competitors from the region, as well as a handful from the USA and Europe, will inject millions into the local economy.

“Economic impact is one part of it and the events strategy is very much about the economic impact on the city,” CoGB major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said. 

“It’s also about a nine-day event, you’ve got people coming into Bendigo from the Oceania region, it gives them a reason to come in to Bendigo to compete, which is fantastic.” 

The championships begin with multi-events, such as the decathlon and heptathlon, on the first weekend.

The multi-events double as the Australian and Victorian titles and also incorporates the Athletics Victoria under-age championships.

The half-marathon on the final day of competition doubles as the Australian Masters Championship for 2014 and is also an open age event to attract athletes under-30.

Other highlights include a 10km road walk at Rosalind Park and cross-country race at Epsom.

For more information about the Flack Advisory and Bart ‘n’ Print-sponsored championships, visit the website at http://www.omabendigo2014.com.au.