They will come from all parts of the land.
They will fly on two wheels, sweep furiously on the ice, and show off a dazzling ability to run into space.
They will win, or they will do their best in trying.
Hundreds of secondary school athletes will pour into Dunedin over the next few weeks for two national championships and one national qualifying event.
The biggest is arguably the New Zealand secondary schools mountain bike championships, to be held on October 4-6.
The event has already attracted about 150 riders, 90% of those coming from outside the region.
It starts with the cross-country on October 4, followed by the downhill on October 5 and the new super D event on October 6.
The cross-country will be held on the popular Wakari Creek tracks, providing an easier circuit for beginners, while accomplished riders will still enjoy the flow and twisty nature of the area.
Both the downhill and the super D, which has elements of both disciplines, will be held on the more challenging Signal Hill circuit.
This weekend, the Dunedin Ice Stadium hosts the New Zealand secondary schools curling championships.
There will be particular interest in the girls section, where a repeat of the South Island final - Otago Girls' High School upset Maniototo Area School - is on the cards.
An Otago school has never won the national girls title, although Maniototo has been runner-up four times.
Maniototo's top team will start as a warm favourite in the boys tournament as it seeks to regain a title it last held in 2008.
Kavanagh College won the boys title in 2013 but has entered a mixed team this year. It will play in the boys competition but can only win the mixed title.
Finally, the annual Condor Sevens has been rescheduled for October 19, offering the region's elite rugby players the chance to qualify for the national final.
Various teams from Otago schools will also be leaving town as they pursue national titles.
Otago Boys' High School, King's High School, St Hilda's Collegiate, Otago Girls' (all AA), Kavanagh boys and St Kevin's College boys (A) are off to Palmerston North for the national basketball championships, starting on Monday.
South Otago High School is at the New Zealand secondary schools netball, also in Palmerston North, on October 7 to 10.
Three national schools events - clay target shooting (Christchurch), synchronised swimming (Wellington) and road cycling (Feilding) - are on this weekend.
