of International Race Weekend because Department of Tourism officials and race organisers do not work closely enough with the airlines.

More than 50 people who wished to come to Bermuda for the races were unable to make the trip because there were not enough seats available on flights which flew to the Island.

And at least one American race organiser has called on Government to liaise more closely with the major airlines so that the situation does not happen again next year.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell was off the Island and unable to comment yesterday but Herbert Siggins, station manager for USAir, said his airline was always willing to assist.

"Scheduling of routes and flights is not as simple as pulling an aircraft out of a hat,'' he explained. "But with plenty of advance notice we can look at the line of flight of a certain aircraft type like the 757 and we would do an aircraft substitution on the day.'' Mr. Siggins said USAir was prepared to sit down with the Bermuda Track and Field Association to discuss numbers and options right now in advance of next year.

"We haven't really been approached in recent years by the organisers which is a little disappointing,'' he added. "At one point about two years ago, USAir was the sponsored carrier for International Race Weekend.

"Generally, we are really open to discussions. If they can provide us with numbers in real terms then the answer is certainly yes.'' Dennis Ahlman, national director of the New York-based Leukaemia Society Team Air seats bought 640 people to Bermuda for International Race Weekend, which concluded yesterday. But he wanted to bring as many as 80 more persons.

His group had a 100 percent finish from the marathon. All 509 participants -- 739 people ran the race in total -- completed the 26.2 mile course.

"None of the airlines we contacted (American Airlines, Delta and USAir) were prepared to expand their flights at all,'' he said. "So we had to leave a number of people who wanted to be in Bermuda behind. We probably could have bought another 75 to 80 people.'' The Royal Gazette was unable to reach representatives from either Delta or American last night.

Mr. Ahlman said his organisation, which has 10,000 members in the programme, assists anyone who wants to run a marathon to do so. They provide a personal trainer, advice on diet, stretching and running technique and a trip plus accommodation to the marathon site. The money raised goes to the Leukaemia society.

The runner runs in honour of a child who has leukaemia. Together with the coach they embark on the six month programme designed to prepare the runner for the race. The runner meets with the child and his or her family and learns about the disease first hand.

Coach and runner then attend and complete the race together. Over the last 12 months, close to $23 million has been raised for leukaemia research.

Mr. Ahlman continued:"They cut the flights back so severely in the winter. We could expand this programme greatly next year but we know we are limited so we can't expand and grow.

"We do 30 marathons a year. We were here last year. There are other charitable groups here and we all have had difficulties.

"Everyone knows this weekend is a big sell. From the airlines' standpoint they should at least consider building their income up a bit.'' Mr. Ahlman said he has spoken to representatives from the Visitor and Convention Bureau as well as marathon organisers.

So far his group has taken 2,600 people to Alaska for a marathon and 1,200 to Honolulu last December.

"The whole eastern part of the United States is full of people who want to come to Bermuda,'' he added. "Many of them who are unable to get seats to Bermuda go (to Honolulu) because it is held in December.

"They would much rather come to Bermuda because it is closer and cheaper.''