It will be "take your marks, set, go" this weekend as the annual athletics National Championships take place at the National Sports Centre.

More than 120 of Bermuda's best and most promising athletes are expected to compete for track-and-field supremacy in the two-day meet, spanning Saturday and Sunday. Among those slated for action are top sprinter Xavier James - training for next month's Commonwealth Games - as well as a number of Bermuda's CARIFTA and Junior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships representatives.

"We normally see very good performances. It's usually a highly competitive event so we're looking forward to the same quality this year. This meet is one of the ways we can identify young talent," said Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) President Judith Simmons.

She urged Bermudians to come and support the athletes, noting that "spectator participation" should increase the competitors' desire "to give their very best".

The National Championships will get underway at 6 p.m. on Saturday following an opening ceremony which will be attended by acting Sports Minister Senator David Burch, Education Minister Paula Cox and shadow Sports Minister Cole Simons. There will also be a closing ceremony on Sunday evening.

Athletics coaches Bill Euler and Cal Simons are both anticipating strong showings from some of the athletes under their tutelage.

Euler has seven teenage members from his Mid-Island Striders club - Whitney Matthew, Howard Ascento, LoVintz Tota, Shalae Godwin, Shianne Smith, Damien Smith and Kenry Thorpe - entered in a variety of events.

"I expect all of them to do well, especially Whitney, Howie and Shianne. I'm not sure about LoVintz. He is coming off an injury but if he wasn't I'd have high hopes for him too. He will be training for the next few days so I'll see how he's doing.

"All of my athletes will all be trying to achieve personal bests. Many of them are preparing for upcoming meets like the East Coast Invitational (in North Carolina) and the the CUT (Caribbean Union of Teachers) games in Trinidad so this will be good for them," said Euler, predicting Thorpe would be a strong contender in the high jump.

Simons of Bermuda Pacers expects 30 to 40 club members to compete over the weekend though some will represent their schools, including West End Primary, Whitney Institute, Clearwater Middle School and Prospect Primary.

"They are really all over the place but we're hoping the club will have a good representation at the National Championships," he said.

Among those under his wing from whom he expects a good showing are Deanna Lightbourn, Danielle Watson, Latroya Darrell, Hal Houston and youngsters Trey Simons and Dante Brangman. Eight-year-old Simons tuned up for the big occasion by posting 5.08 minutes in the 1,500 metres last weekend.

"I am expecting them to do well and even get some personal-best performances. I think a couple kids might even be able to set new national records in their age-groups as well.

"I just hope other schools send good contingents so we can have a very good competition," said Simons.