A group of 40 senior athletes broke into song at the Whitehorse airport yesterday morning as they prepared to board their flight to the Canada 55+ Games.

The national senior games begin today in Sherwood Park, Alta., east of Edmonton. The event will run until Saturday.

This year’s Yukon contingent is the largest in history, rounding out at 152 participants competing in 18 of the 24 available sports.

Of the 152 team members, 20 are from eight communities outside of Whitehorse.

The largest contingent will be the senior slo-pitch team, made up of 19 players. Seventeen will compete in track and field, while 16 will be carpet bowling.

The oldest members of Team Yukon are 90-year-old whist player Irene Mahoney and 89-year-old carpet bowler Betty Herbert.

“Strathcona County is proud to host the 2014 Canada 55+ Games,” area mayor Roxanne Carr said in a press release.

“We are excited to welcome all participants and their family to our community and wish them the best of luck in their competitions.”