Karen Smith is relishing a return to the spiritual home of triathlon for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

No stranger to the championships, Smith is set to take to compete for the eighth time when she takes to the start line of the 55-59 age division on October 14.

For Smith, 55, who sealed her qualification with victory in the Ironman Lake Placid event in New York in July, it is another opportunity to again grace the prestigious event.

“I’m really excited to be heading over for the Ironman World Championships again,” Smith said.

“It’s just so awesome competing out there. I’ve competed seven times already, but it’s always just so special. It’s the granddaddy of them all and so it’s just amazing to be a part of it.

“It brings out the best of the best across every age group because you have to qualify to compete there. You have to have won one or been in the top portion of certain races, so it’s not easy to get there at all.

“I think its extra special because everyone wants to get there. There’s a real big atmosphere there and it’s just amazing.”

Smith has enjoyed major success at the event, including being crowned champion after winning the 45-49 age division in 2014, as well as finishing fourth in her age category (50-54) in 2019, seventh in the same division in 2018, third (40-44) in 2010, eighth in 2009, and sixth in 2007 (35-39).

Despite her previous superb form, Smith has not set herself any major targets for the upcoming race.

“I’ve had great success there in the past, but I don’t ever go into the races with any real expectations,” she said. “You never know who you will be up against and so you can only control your own race.

“I’m just going to go there and give it my best and leave knowing I gave it absolutely everything.”

Smith prepared for Kona by sealing second place in the National Triathlon Championships at Clearwater on Sunday, finishing behind Ashley Couper.

Smith, who led the field out of the water after the 1,500-metre swim, was eventually surpassed by Couper on the second lap of the 40-kilometre bike leg but felt the race laid a good foundation as she steps up to Ironman distance.

“The national championships were definitely a nice little tune-up to practice a couple of things and see what I need to dial in,” she said.

“The conditions in Hawaii are very similar to here in Bermuda, so it all helped in trying to figure out how I should be fuelling during the race in Kona.”