Nick Pilgrim and Maddie Durkin are the front runners for the Liberty Mutual National Sprint Triathlon Championship tomorrow.

Pilgrim, who is gearing up to compete in two Americas Triathlon Cup events in July, makes a return to a race he last entered and won in 2023.

The 22-year-old is facing stiff competition from his brother, Alex Pilgrim, Jackson Langley, Cameron de Ste Croix, Gianluca Bortoli and the runner-up last year, Adam Prunty.

Durkin is also back chasing honours in a competition where she reigned supreme in 2022. In her absence a year ago, Marie-lyne Dore won the women’s race.

With Dore and Ashley Couper not entering the race, Durkin is not sure of the kind of competition in store for her. Louise Wells, Lynsey Palmer and Kristen Robinson are the women expected to challenge the 44-year-old.

“I’m going into the race after a heavy block of training,” Durkin said.

“We’ll see what happens but I’m fit and will give it a good shot. Most of my competitors are not racing, but anything can happen.

“I’m honestly not sure what to expect as I don’t know much about the other competitors, maybe I’m in for a surprise.”

The race, which makes a return to Hamilton after being held at Clearwater Beach last year, starts off with the junior triathlon and duathlon competitions.

Naomi MacGuinness is the favourite to win the girls 11 to 12 triathlon, where she is going up against Colette Durkin. In the boys, the race is between Max Williams and Owen Fosker.

Madison Schindel, who is back home from boarding school in Canada, is expected to mount a strong challenge in the girls 13 to 15 triathlon, where she faces competition from Sofia Leclerc and Isla Cooze.

Dylan Eiselt, Sanchez Smith and Lucas Bule are not taking part in the boys 13 to 15 triathlon because they are attending a camp in Durango, Colorado. The absence of the trio has opened an opportunity for Jens Drea and Jasper Lau.

Steven Petty, the Bermuda Triathlon Association president, said that this was the final opportunity for juniors to qualify for the Carifta Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships in Tobago, from August 23 to 24.

“It is the last qualifier for Carifta,” Petty said. “So far 21 have qualified for Carifta. We will be having our first camp next week at Clearwater, where 59 children have signed up.”