The 2016 winner, who claimed the Riverina tri-series title last year, is set to come up against the current series leader and 2014 overall champ, Ryan Miller.

Miller has won all three of the Riverina tri-series events so far this season after a brilliant performance in the Geelong Ironman event last week.

“Provided he pulled up alright from his Ironman, he’s going to race,” The Rock organiser Mick Mazzocchi said.

“And with Caleb Noble in too, it’s going to be really interesting to see these guys at the top of their powers.

“Ryan beat some of the professionals down there in Geelong on the weekend and came first in his age group, so he’s racing really well.

“And Caleb is off to a world cup race in two or three weeks so I presume he’s really into his training. It’ll be good to watch.”

With women’s series leader Nicola Curry headlining the women’s event, organisers of The Rock event couldn’t be happier heading into just their third year. 

The course has also been changed, taking out the The Rock hill, making for a flatter, faster event, which will suit the top guns and make the course more enticing for novices. 

Mazzocchi said they have also had interest from Albury-based athletes, which he expects will add depth to the field. 

“Just having that $1000 prizemoney for the tri-series (for the men’s and the women’s events) with LRG sponsoring it, that’s made a big difference,” he said.

However, the focus at The Rock is also on encouraging kids and the less experienced to take part in what’s also a major community event.

At 8.15am, there is a sub-juniors race (300m run, 2km cycle, 500m run) which will take place entirely within The Rock Recreation Ground. 

There is also a juniors and enticers event from 8.45am (500m run, 10km cycle, 100m swim, 2km run).

The open sprint event (2km run, 20km cycle, 200m swim, 4km run) starts at 9.15am.

On-line registration is available this year for the first time. 

Registrations will be allowed on the day, up until 30 minutes before each event’s start time.