Bermuda's International Race Weekend Committee will be making a "big push" to get a record number of local runners out for the Front Street Mile trials which will be held on Friday, December 4 and Sunday, December 6.

Event Director Mike Charles said: "Last year school registration numbers were down a bit and every year it is a challenge to find female athletes willing to run."

Charles said the they are looking for runners in the following categories (both male and female): Primary School, Middle School, Senior School and the Open.

"The KPMG Bermuda Invitational Mile trials continues to be a very exciting and achievable event," he added.

International Race Weekend will be staged from Friday, January 15 to Sunday, January 17.

"The Committee has been meeting regularly," said Charles. "I am very pleased to say that over the past four years we have built a very strong and experienced team and each year we look for ways to grow the event."

The KPMG-sponsored Mile is the first of the four events held over the weekend and while the overseas runners remain a big draw, hundreds come out every year to watch family and friends compete in the local races.

Entry forms are being hand delivered to every school and are available from the SportsSeller in the Washington Mall. Competitors can also register online at www.bermudatiming.com

The entry fee for runners 18 years or younger is $8 and $15 for adults.

Charles added: "At the end of the day we just want as many people as possible to come out and have some fun with it.

"The trials are a great experience for our young athletes and nothing beats the sensation of running down Front Street under the lights with everyone cheering you on."