It's a friendly rivalry which - for about five minutes tonight - promises to be a pitched battle for Front Street supremacy.

Tamika Williams will be looking to take not only victory but also the record from her training partner Ashley Couper in the local Adult Female segment of the Front Street Mile.

The showdown between two of Bermuda's top women athletes should be among the highlights of the opening evening of this year's International Race Weekend.

"Oh, it's going to go. It's definitely going to go, whether she takes it or I take it. It's going to be under five minutes," declared Williams yesterday, in reference to the current record of 5.01.02 minutes set by Couper in 2001.

Bermuda's 800-metre record-holder changed her training routine in early December to prepare for this event and, though she has not been officially timed in a mile run, is confident she will finish inside five minutes.

"My coach has estimated that I'll be going under five minutes. That's the way my training has been geared. From about two weeks before Christmas I've been doing more distance work, preparing for the Mile.

"It's been great, a bit more intense. I have been getting fitter and fitter and I'm really confident."

The 24-year-old is relishing tonight's clash, noting it's been a while since two women have really fought for honours in the local Mile.

"It's usually one person out front and everybody else behind about 20 seconds slower. So for me it's just the idea of having an exciting race.

"I don't know what's going to happen. Obviously, Ashley is a mile runner and I'm the 800 runner but I have been training. I think it just comes down to tomorrow night (tonight)," said the United States-based Bermudian.

Victoria Fiddick will also be in Mile line-up and knows she has her work cut out with the two younger athletes.

"I'm up against Tamika and Ashley and there's a big gap between us. Those two have a 40-second lead on me so there's not much I can do. I am just hoping to improve my own time which is about 5.38," said the 37-year-old.

She is also running in tomorrow's 10K for which she would like to "break 40 minutes".

"I have done 40.20 so I am getting there but I have some way to go. Hopefully the international competition will help me. I have done the preparation but I get a little nervous when I compete."

Anna Eatherley is also in two events but her priority is the 10K, given the "opportunity to race against some really good international athletes".

"I like to see how I do because there are not many female athletes competing on the Island at the moment. So it's quite a thrill.

"I like to try and stay with the international athletes as long as I can - obviously it's not that long - but even if it's a mile or so it's just nice to run with people of that calibre," she noted.

The 39-year-old will turn her attention to Sunday's Half Marathon after the 10K.

"I just think of that as a training run and wait and see how I feel on the day to determine how fast I can go."

Eatherley, who trains year-round but has been tapering a bit before this weekend, is not eyeing a particular time because of the fluctuating weather conditions.

"I can't say I'll do a specific time because if it's a real windy day I'll have to adjust plans," she explained.

Her husband Brett Forgesson agrees the weather will be "a big variable" but he is not too concerned as Sunday's Marathon is "not really a high priority" for him.

"I just do it every year and I've done reasonably well. I'm hoping to do well again. My chances should be okay but there's quite a bit of competition and I'm not in the greatest shape.

"I'll see how I feel on the day and go from there. I have not done much since running NY (Marathon) in November, just a couple long runs in December," said the 38-year-old.

Ricky Sousa, too, is taking a relaxed approach to the 10K in which he competes as a Master for the first time.

"Hopefully I will be up there in the Masters. I am probably the fittest I have ever been in January - after Christmas. I am looking forward to having a good 10K. Then, if I feel good enough, I'll do the Half Marathon on Sunday."

Sylvester Jean-Pierre is looking forward to his first "planned" marathon and he has been building up to this weekend since July.

"This will be the first marathon I have actually prepared myself for. Last year I did the 10K and then the next day I made a last-minute decision to do the Marathon. So I got a taste of it and I decided to prepare properly this year," he said.

While not targeting a particular time, this competitor expects to do himself proud based on racing returns so far. In November, he easily won the annual BTFA Half Marathon which was a test for him.

"I was really feeling strong in that race and I didn't have anyone to push me. I think this International Race Weekend is going to be lots of fun.

"It's no pressure for me. I hope I can stay injury-free, get some luck on my side, run smart and give it my best shot."

The affable 44-year-old has a personal motto - and perhaps message - for this weekend: "Tell them the old man is coming."