Nearly 3,000 age group athletes from 73 countries have flocked to Edmonton to represent their country in the Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) and Standard distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) events. They will be the centrepiece of the weeklong championship program.

They are the best of the best and fought hard to earn the right to compete for their country and achieve their own personal best. The hard work is all done and it’s their time to shine.

As expected the home nation, Canada have sent the largest team with 790 athletes, USA second with 587 and Great Britain 383. We have competitors as young as 15 years to our most senior participant at 86 years of age.

But for some that road has thrown up even more challenges they’ve had to conquer just to take their place on the start line.

New Zealand’s Kylie Cox is one of those inspirational stories.

For the 37-year-old mother of two 18 months ago depression became something Kylie could not overlook much longer.  She looked to new goals to combat the illness.  Triathlon was the perfect fit with its multi disciplines and outdoor focus with swim, bike and run.

She completed Challenge Wanaka Half with the support of her husband and close friend who then encouraged her to qualify for the Olympic distance world championships team.

“I signed up for both qualifying races and joined up with my Coach, Sam Warriner at Sweat7 and am now in Edmonton! Incredibly my three year goal has come to fruition in just one year.”

Cox says the renewed confidence and enjoyment she has taken out of her involvement in triathlon has been immense.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it and have made some amazing new friends through the sport.  Whilst juggling training with family life has its challenges it has also made me appreciate the simple things.  My confidence has grown and it has given me faith to give other things in life a go as well, it has just been awesome.”

Kylie will see those world championship dreams come to reality when she lines up in the 35 to 39 age group in the Standard distance World Championships

There are many medal chances across all categories that will be hotly contested and we’ve featured just a few of the top contenders.

Germany’s Hans Peter Grünebach is an accomplished athlete across all distances and has amassed a list of results the envy of many. He kicked off his 2014 world championship campaign collecting a bronze medal in the Aquathlon here in Edmonton, adding to his gold won and the European championship. He will now take on the Sprint distance event in the 65-69-age category.

In 2014 Peter has finished third at the Sprint distance European Championship, fourth at the Standard distance and looking for that elusive gold medal to add to his collection.

Teammate Margit Bartsch is another medal hopeful for Germany. She finished fourth in London last year in the 50-55 and the current European champion moves up into the 60-64 in Edmonton making her one of the top chances.

Great Britain dominated the medal tally in London and sent a 400 strong team to Edmonton. They are the second largest team with no less than six returning medallists. Joyce Mark (55-59) and Steve Mckeown (45-49) won gold in Hyde Park last year and Jacqui Phillips (45-49) and Peggy Crome (70-74) are reigning silver medallists.

Peggy has already been in action at this year’s World Championships winning silver in the aquathlon races yesterday and knowing Peggy we are sure she will be aiming to step onto that podium once more.

Michael Smallwood (65-69) is another athlete who competed in yesterday’s aquathlon finishing fifth and having won a bronze medal in the sprint distance race last year, will be one to watch. Michael will also have one eye on the standard distance race on Monday, in which he also competes.

The final returning medallist is Paul Ryman (30-34) who won bronze back in London’s iconic Hyde Park and like Michael, he will also be racing in the standard distance race.

The standard distance race takes place on Monday 1 September and will also feature a number or returning medallists with Christopher Owens (60-64) our only returning champion.  Arnott Kidd (80+) won silver in the 75-79 category last year and despite moving up age-groups is a regular medallist at major Championships and will be confident of another medal-winning performance.

Penny Rother (55-59) also competes having won bronze back in 2013 and joins a team of 166 athletes in action on Monday.

Returning medallist, American Ellen Hart (55-59) has set herself a massive schedule, taking on all three events in Edmonton – Aquathlon, Sprint and Standard distance races. She will then back up to take her place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships followed by the full Ironman in Hawaii a week later. And to top all of that off will competed in the New York Marathon.

The Sprint distance event gets underway from 9.30am on Friday and the Standard distance on Monday from 7.30am.