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Ninety Yukoners are on their way to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to compete in the 2012 Canada 55+ Games.

The national games will kick off this coming Wednesday and run until Sept. 1.

More than 2,000 athletes will compete in 23 sports ranging from ice hockey and soccer to bocce ball and scrabble.

The games will stretch across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the Yukon contingent will look to build upon their reputation as one of the top teams in the nation.

Despite a relatively small team in comparison to their competitors, the Yukon has excelled in the past including picking up three consecutive Spirit of the Games awards.

The team will be lead by flag bearer and member of the Elder Active Association, Tom Parlee.

Parlee, who will be competing in the track and field events, has won 13 medals over the course of four Games in shot put, discus, javelin and long-jump.

He will be joined by a strong track and field team that has expanded the number of athletes and benefited from training under the guidance of local running coach, Don White.

"That was really exciting for us because we haven't had a coach before,鈥� said Sue Meikle, co-chef du mission.

The Yukon athletes range in age from 55 to 87.

The majority of the Yukon team will arrive in Nova Scotia on Monday and then spend a day together touring the Fortress of Louisbourg, a national historic site on Cape Breton Island, before the opening ceremonies on Wednesday.

Mike and Gale Craigen will carry the Yukon banner in the ceremonies and the team will bellow their cheer, penned by Yukon musician Hank Karr.

Of the 90 Yukoners making the journey, 78 will compete while the remaining members fill out the team staff, including co-chef Madeline Boyd and assistant Kim Solomon.

While the co-chef's and assistant won't be competing, they'll still be getting their exercise as they spend each day from about 6.a.m to midnight making sure everything is running smoothly and athletes are informed of venue and time changes.

"We're really looking forward to getting there and receiving the East Coast hospitality,鈥� said Meikle.

The Yukon team, along with the other contingents, will be treated to a Cape Breton kitchen party on Thursday while Friday will bring live music performances.

The Games will wrap up on Saturday with the closing ceremonies featuring, Rita MacNeil, Men of the Deeps, Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac.

"It's such a great event because many of these folks haven't been involved in games as youth and it's really such an amazing gathering when they get together,鈥� said Meikle.

"They get to see the same people every two years in these competitions and catch up.鈥�

Along with the competitive and social nature of the Games, the event also celebrates aging well.

"All of this is really related to being active and living a healthy life and having a good quality of life,鈥� said Meikle.

While the Games happen every two years, the athletes train in between, attending team try-outs and refining their skills.

"Most of the participants practice all year,鈥� said Meikle.

"We're lucky in Whitehorse to have great support from the local community.鈥�