The Caledonian Ground will be buzzing with activity when the ''biggest ever'' Colgate Games in Dunedin starts this morning.
About 1000 South Island children aged from 7 to 14 have combined for more than 4100 entries in the 37th annual games, a record number.
Organising committee chairman Bryce Watts, who spent yesterday setting up tents and preparing the ground with a raft of other volunteers, is expecting about 3000 people a day at the ground over the next three days.
The last major event before the Caledonian Ground track is replaced in March will feature 252 athletes from Otago clubs, about a quarter of all participants. Hill City-University (89) has the largest contingent, while Taieri (28) and Caversham (27) are next in line.
Any member of an athletic club registered with Athletics New Zealand was eligible to enter. Including the North Island Colgate Games, which was held last weekend, more than 2000 children have made up about 8700 entries across the two events.
About 140 volunteers from all over the country, including officials from Hamilton and Taranaki, will be on hand to make sure the event runs smoothly.
Records have never been kept in the event's history, and for children aged 7 to 9 it is more about participating.
Only 10 to 14 year-olds compete in heats and finals and are awarded medals.
The 7 to 9 year-olds race in divisions in which the first three finishers are awarded pennants and the rest ribbons.
Commonwealth Games shot put silver medallist Tom Walsh is the ambassador for the games.
The game's opening ceremony starts at 8.45am, before competition kicks off at 9.30am and runs until 5.30pm.
Tomorrow's action gets under way at 9am and runs to 5.30pm, while competition will run from 9am to 4.30pm on Sunday.
Dunedin last hosted the games in 2011.
by Robert van Royen
