If much-needed sponsorship can be found, Bermuda could be graced by the presence of two prominent Kenyan runners during January's International Race Weekend.

Fresh from solid performances in the New York Marathon on November 12, Simon Kagwe and Joyce Chepchumba are among several international athletes who are keen to come here, according to vice president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association, Mr. Lee Tucker.

"It's possible that Bermuda will have the opportunity to see some of the best group of runners that have ever been brought in for the event. Many are anxious to use it as a build-up for the Olympics,'' said Tucker.

But he conceded that the key was to find sponsors to support the venture now that the exempt company ADT was no longer acting as the major sponsor after ending its five-year commitment.

This time around individual sponsorship is being sought with interested parties being asked to make a commitment of one of the overseas runners.

"We are encouraging individuals to get involved in this capacity, but we still would welcome any business that is willing to give some sort of major sponsorship,'' said Tucker.

"There are many international runners who are willing and able to come here at short notice, but much will depend of whether or not the finances are made available to accommodate their wishes.'' Tucker was excited about the prospects of having Kagwe and Chepchumba being brought in so close to their fine performance in the Big Apple's premier road race last month when both finished fourth in their respective divisions.

Kagwe recorded a time of two hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds while Chepchumba's was two hours, 33 minutes and 51 seconds.

Kagwe was considered one of Kenya's hottest male marathon prospects during the first part of the year before tailing off in his performances prior to New York, while Chepchumba is a rising star.

The duo are also reported to be good runners over shorter distances with Kagwe having a best of 27 minutes in the 10k and Chepchumba 32 minutes over the same distance.

Should anyone be interested in becoming sponsors they should contact Tucker or race director Phillip Guishard.

Meanwhile the stage is set today for the BTFA National Cross-Country Championships at Ferry Reach, St. George's, starting at 9.30 a.m.

It will mark the end of the 1995 cross-country series for the association with participants expected to take advantage and use it to enhance their chances of being included in Bermuda's team for the CAC Cross-Country Championships in Mexico in February.

There are many attractive prizes being awarded for the various division winners this time, with the feature awards being travel vouchers specifically designed to assist athletes in attending events abroad.

Many of the Island's top runners are expected to participate, including premier middle-distance supremo Kavin Smith and last year's winner Tracy Wright.

Smith, who has been in impressive form of late, is likely to improve on Wright's 1994 winning time of 32.04 for the five-and-a-half mile course, while defending women's champion Jennifer Fisher is expected to dominate in the female division.

Fisher had a time of 12.05 in the shorter one-and-three-quarter miles in the women's division a year ago, beating out Julia Hawley (12.47) and Melanie Claude (12.57).