Clasina Van Der Veeken and Margaret Peters are in Bendigo for the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships.

The pair took to the field on Monday for the 60 metres dash, 80-84 category.

Peters took out the race but Van Der Veeken was hot on her tails.

The athletes say competing gives them a great thrill.

Van Der Veeken, aged 82, says her friend is one of the best competitors in the sport.

“She beats me all the time,” she laughed.

“I am two years older than Margaret so I beat her there.

“I am a late starter in athletics but I enjoy it.

“That is the main thing to enjoy what you do.  

“You try to win but that isn’t the main thing.”

Peters, an Oceania Masters record holder in the 60, 100, 200 and 400 metres events, says taking part in the games was fun.

“It is the thrill of doing the sport and joining in and taking part with everyone,” she said.

Peters said she had been running laps every other day to prepare for the games.

“You have to try your best because you don’t really know what everybody else has been doing,” she said.

Van Der Veeken, who only began running in 2002, said she was invited to take part in the masters.

“I had never heard about the masters games before but I decided to do some training and then I joined in,” she said.

“I have now been competing in the games for a while.”

Throughout the games the pair have also planned to explore the city.

“It is my first time in Bendigo,” Van Der Veeken said.

“I have really enjoyed the town.”

Peters said she has been to central Victoria before.

“I have been to Bendigo before because my partner, his family came from this area,” he said.  

“They were in mining.”