With training six days a week, winning a gold medal is the ultimate motivator for Welcome Bay sisters Jessica and Samantha Bitcheno.

Jessica and Samantha Bitcheno won three medals each at the North Island Colgate Games in January.

The sisters beat competitors from all over the country to win three medals each at the Colgate Games held this month in Hastings.

Samantha, 12, won two silver medals for the 100m and 200m sprint and Jessica, 13, won bronze for the 1500m and 800m; both won gold for the medley relay event.

However, their eyes are fixed on individual gold; winning silver and bronze isn't enough for these determined girls.

Jessica, who has trained and competed as a runner for four years, says 'winning the gold” is the ultimate motivator for long hours of training.

Samantha, who has trained and competed as a runner for a couple of years, says her motivator is to get more medals than Jessica, who currently has 50 on her wall.

Mother Michelle Bitcheno says both girls have sustained injuries in their training, which held them back from their full potential, particularly Jessica.

'She was injured eight weeks before the games with a torn groin muscle,” says Michelle.

'It is slowly coming right, but she had to carry on through some of the running with the injury.”

Michelle says it is the girls' 'determination and competitive nature” that drives them towards winning their next medal.

The girls train six days a week with both a coach and also with their father on runs that can be up to an hour and a half long.

Jessica is focusing on secondary school this year and the North Island Secondary School Championships.

Samantha is aiming towards the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Athletics Championship in March.

'I am very proud of them, and I just hope they will be able to pull through with their injuries to succeed. But they are both extremely competitive and I know they can do it.”