As he prepares to defend his Front Street Mile title defence next month, Bermuda's top middle-distance runner Dage Minors is worried the iconic race is about to lose some of its lustre.

Organisers of the 2024 Triangle Challenge have this year decided against bringing in professional runners.from overseas to compete in the Front Street Mile and, while that will give Minors a better chance of becoming a three-times champion, he will not be getting the strong competition he was expecting in his first race of the year.

“If I get the invite, I’ll be running, but I'm not sure if it’s called an elite mile any more,’’ Minors said.

“It definitely waters the event down because people look forward to the elite mile and having professionals here to race. It’s sad that we can’t continue with that tradition and it feels a bit deflating that there is no elite mile as we’ve had in the past.”

The race holds a special place in the heart of the 28-year-old, who has been part of the event since he was in primary school, with the only time he did not compete coming when he was at Franklin Pierce University.

“This race is always important for me because it’s home and it means a lot to a lot of runners in Bermuda,’’ Minors said.

“It’s a place where all of us got started from a young age. You get thrown into Front Street and it’s the first time that you’re running in front of hundreds of people so it’s important like that.”

Minors still holds the mile record of 5:01.90 in the boys middle schools race and became the first Bermudian to win the elite race in 2018. He picked up his second title last year after fighting off strong competition from American Elias Graca and, while he may not face the same standard of rival this time around, he will still be going all out to win.

“I’ll prepare normally because we’re going to run it and use it to start the new season, and see where I’m at,” Minors said

“I wanted to compete against elite athletes but I respect any decision from the organisers and they know why they came up with that. It does not really change anything, who I’m racing against.

“In terms of the season it’s also important as you get to see where you are after winter and prepare for the coming months.”