More than 200 runners are expected to take part in the 25th anniversary of the Princess-to-Princess road race tomorrow, but it is highly unlikely that the occasion will be celebrated with new records in either the men's or women's divisions.

Top male Jay Donawa has confirmed his entry although there was no word last night on whether his arch rival, former winner Kavin Smith, would be in the line-up. And multiple Princess champion Anna Eatherley is also expected to turn out.

However, with no overseas guests in the field, the respective men's and women's records set by Englishman David Swanston back in 1989 and Bermuda's own Sandra Mewett in 1988 appear safe for at least another year.

Swanston blitzed the tough 7.1 mile course, which ends with a gruelling climb over the Southampton Princess hill, in an astonishing 36 minutes and eight seconds a week before taking part in Bermuda's International 10K.

A year earlier Mewett, who dominated local women's racing in the late '80s, romped home in 41.32, a mark that has rarely been threatened since.

Smith has been the fastest Bermudian in the race's 25-year history, having chased Swanston home in 1989 to clock 37.23.

But then local resident John Beeden was even quicker when he won in 1987, crossing the line in an impressive 36:47.

With this year's International Race Weekend still two weeks away, none of the top athletes from overseas have yet arrived on the Island, thus restricting the Princess event to a virtually all-local affair.

For the second year in a row, a junior race over three kilometres will be held in conjunction with the main event, starting at the Heron Bay Market Place and finishing at Whaler Inn.

The senior race follows its traditional route from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess along Front Street, Harbour Road, Middle Road, over Southampton Princess hill to the Whaler Inn finish line.

To mark the anniversary, race finishers will receive special souvenirs and a pre-race dinner is being held at Harleys, starting at 6 p.m. today. Runners will also be treated to a buffet and barbecue at the end of the race on Sunday morning.