"The art of running is to be found in the process — in the act itself. The beauty of this art is that it can be recreated in every step. The past doesn't matter, it's the next step that counts." Author of Master the Art of Running, Malcolm Balk.

These are great words that every runner lives by and the Bermuda International Race Weekend is an opportunity for every athlete to push themselves to the next level.

And for those following the race, they will not be disappointed with top athletes from 15 countries arriving on our shores to compete.

Elite runners from Russia, Kenya, Ukrarine, England, Uganda, Morocco, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Romania and the US are among the 639 entries.

They have been lured to our shores thanks to expos at marathons including the New York Marathon, and also with booths in Boston, Toronto and Chicago, as well as many regional events.

Thousands of postcards promoting the Bermuda event were also handed out and articles featuring Race Weekend appeared in the New England Runner magazine — all thanks to a drive by the Department of Tourism to not only sell the event, but the Island in general.

International Race Weekend was first organised by the Bermuda Track and Field Association in 1973 and has drawn hundreds of outstanding athletes to the island since. And this year is no exception.

Another attraction of the 2008 IRW is the fact that famous runner and speaker Kathrine Switzer will be testing her endurance in the inaugural Bermuda Triangle Marathon.

Ms Switzer was the first woman to enter, and finish, the Boston Marathon in 1967 and guests at the host hotel, the Fairmont, will get the opportunity to receive running tips from the legend who will be sharing advice with fitness enthusiasts as a guest speaker at the Health and Fitness Expo hosted by Bermuda Track and Field at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The three-day running festival kicks off with the KPMG Invitational Mile this Friday night, builds with a 10K on Saturday and ends in grand style with a marathon and half marathon on Sunday.

And this year, some 50 runners have signed up for the ultimate test by participating in the inaugural Bermuda Triangle Half Challenge.

Runners have the opportunity to take part in three of the Race Weekend events and should they manage to complete all three challenges, they will receive a commemorative medal and T-shirt. But more importantly, they will succeeded in the ultimate test of endurance and athleticism.

The January race date brings ideal running temperatures and while the courses may be demanding on the legs, they are easy on the eyes as runners (and walkers) make their way along coral-lined roads which twist and turn through landscapes where the pastel coloured homes are set off by vibrant vegetation.

This year will also see the return of the Health & Fitness Expo, held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Friday between 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. and again on Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. It is also the venue for participants to pick up their bib numbers, ChampionChips, T-shirts and goodie bags.

An awards ceremony at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess will wrap up this exciting three-day event.

As for the hundreds of men and women who will be pushing the boundaries this weekend, Kathrine Switzer summarised best what running is all about:

"All you need is the courage to believe in yourself and put one foot in front of the other."