On the back of recent delays for a return to competitive sport, which at this stage could be pushed back to at least November 5, which is the date predicted Victoria will reach its 80 per cent fully-vaccinated target.

"It's all still a bit up in the air," Athletics Bendigo general manager Terry Hicks said.

"Should that date come to fruition as we all hope, we then have to wait on our state bodies, Little Athletics Victoria and Athletics Victoria, to give the go ahead.

"We've become pretty used to all of the delays and planning under these circumstances.

"The committees of both of our competitions have been hard at work preparing for the season and essentially are ready to go whenever that may be."

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Even though there is an inevitable delay to the summer season, Hicks said one benefit was that athletes were able to return to training.

"Luckily, right at the moment it's not too bad as we can conduct group training up at the track provided that the number of participants are spread across the facility accordingly," he said.

"In that respect we have a nice big area to play with which helps."

Another loss caused by the delayed start will be the cancellation of several district and regional school carnivals scheduled for October.

Throughout winter Bendigo's regional cross country team also missed out on the chance of a full season after only fitting in three rounds before lockdown came back into force.

But once again Hicks is fortunate that the district's athletes can train in the lead-up to the summer season launch and also the Vic Country Championships scheduled to be held in Bendigo in late January.

"The country championships will most likely be the first major event that Athletics Victoria will run and we're keen to ensure that gets up and running," Hicks said.

"Unlike our city counterparts, we are at least able to train and we have managed to keep the track open throughout with the cooperation of our coaches and athletes in adhering to the COVID safe rules."

Registrations are currently open for the summer season.

"Athletes and parents might be hesitant to register at this stage as it's unknown as to when everything will begin," Hicks said.

"But we are confident we'll be going by the middle of November in what will be a relatively normal summer season."

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