For many decades Bendigo Little Athletics has continued to draw many newcomers to track and field.

This year there are more than 22,000 registered Little Athletes across Victoria.

And for those yet to sign up, but keen to compete this spring-summer, there is a centre near you.

Little Athletics Centres across the northern region include Bendigo, Echuca, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Woodend, Kyabram, Shepparton and Rochester.

As a busy season rolls on little athletes will be aiming for the multi-event championships, regional titles and the state championships.

Many of Australia's best in track and field made their start in little athletics.

When they began the aim was more about fun and fitness than grand ideas of representing their country.

Multiple hammer throw champion and Commonwealth Games representative Tim Driesen began in Bendigo's competition.

A glance through Bendigo Little Athletics Centre's record list is interesting.

Record-breakers over the years include Joel Selwood, a triple premiership-winning player at Geelong Football Club and captain of the AFL's All-Australian team the past two years.

Many of Bendigo's footy stars have or continue to compete in little athletics.

A huge plus in the appeal in athletics, whether it be Olympics, world championship, Commonwealth Games, or the regional titles is the pursuit of personal best.

It's the same approach in little athletics, where breaking your previous best time or mark is just as, if not more important than on the placing in the wide variety of events that are run.

Being able to attain a personal best is what all athletes strive to do.

It's what makes athletics so different to many other sports.

In footy, cricket, netball, soccer or basketball some players often believe that unless they racked up plenty of kicks, scored plenty of runs or goals that they did not contribute to their team's success.

In any sport, especially team, it's the little things such as tackles, bumps, intercepts and saves that add up and play an important part.

Another great appeal about athletics is the wide range of ages that take to the track or field week after week, year after year.

At 80-years-young, Ken Bruechert still lines up for the sprints at Athletics Bendigo meets each Saturday afternoon.

Bruechert is an inspiration to many Athletics Bendigo members.

In a sport where the massive paydays are for a select few such as Usain Bolt, the drive for many athletes is to compete and be the best they can be, more so than chasing glory and fame.