An elite women's race has been added to the Front Street Mile for the first time in the Bermuda International Race Weekend's history.

A raft of female professionals are expected to take part in the race which will run alongside the Elite Men's race, although no names have been confirmed yet for the 'invitational only' race.

Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Clarence Smith said he was delighted about the introduction of the race and thanked sponsors KPMG for covering the costs.

"It (the Elite Women's event) has been something competitors around the world have been asking us to introduce for many years, but like everything else, it takes money and until now we have not had the necessary funds to invite Elite Women runners to compete at the event."

Also on hand at the announcement was Bermuda Invitational Mile race director, Mike Charles, who said: "The addition of another race while very exciting, brings with it it's own challenges, as wenow need to focus on attracting the calibre of runners that Bermudians will want and expect.

"Equally, we have to manage the process of the actual event even more efficiently to accomodate the additional race.

"To this end, we are delighted to announce that we have engaged Bermuda Timing to provide real-time, digital chip timing for the Mile and all of the other International Race Weekend events. This will allow us to process the results much more efficiently and expediently."

Peter Lever, race director for the 10k and co-ordinator for the elite athletes, said the women would also be eligible for the $10,000 prize for the sub four minute mile.

He added that a more realistic time would be set after this year's finishing times had been assessed by organisers.

Due to the popularity of last year's inaugural Bermuda Triangle Challenge, this year's Mile race is expected to attract more competitors than ever before. The Challenge allows participants to race in the mile without having to meet the qualifying standard, as long as they sign up to the 10k race and half-marathon or mararthon as well.

KPMG have signed a further three-year agreement with Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) to remain the exclusive lead sponsors of the KPMG Mile.

Craig Bridgewater, KPMG partner, said: "KPMG has enjoyed a very succesful relationship with the BTFA and indeed the general public, over the last three years as a result of our sponsorship of KPMG Bermuda Invitational Mile.

"We are delighted to announce our continued support as lead sponsor of this prestigious international event.

"Going forward our sponsorship agreement will include the necessary funding for for a Women's Elite Mile.

"We have been in discussions for with the BTFA regarding this issue since signing our first agreement in 2006 and are extremely pleased that it has come to fruition."