Overseas athletes may not be the only competitors in record-breaking form during International Race Weekend.

Local favourite Ashley Couper is aiming to return to the athletics showpiece in grand style by eclipsing the record in the Front Street Mile (Local Adult Female) tomorrow night.

Should she run faster than the current time of 5.01.02 minutes, there will be no need to change the record-holder's name - just the time and date - as it's her own mark from 2001 which she is challenging.

"I don't think I would be very happy if I didn't run faster than that time but we'll have to see. I have done a lot of hard training but this is my first race at this distance in almost a year.

"I just want to give my best race and see what I can do," said the 25-year-old.

Having done the bulk of her "hard, fast training" in December, she has reduced her workload in recent weeks "just keeping the speed but not taxing my body too much".

"In the last couple weeks I have cut down. I have not done any double days. For a few months before that I was doing two workouts per day. Now I am doing some fast workouts but not as much heavy distance," she said yesterday.

While quietly confident of resuming the winning touch that blessed her in 2000 and 2001, Couper expects tough competition in the Mile from friend Tamika Williams with whom she trains when they are both in California, USA.

The latter - the Island's national 800-metre record-holder - arrived home last weekend and trained with Couper this week.

"She will definitely be the main competition I have to worry about. Yesterday (Tuesday) we did a hard workout at the National Sports Centre and she is definitely in great shape so it will be an interesting race," said Couper who did not return to Bermuda to compete in last year's Race Weekend.

Fresh from victory in the year-opening Fairmont to Fairmont Race two weeks ago, she had daringly signed up for the Mile, the 10k and Sunday's Half Marathon but has decided against the latter to zone in on the other two events.

"I was just going to run it (the Half Marathon) for fun, to get a long run but I know I'll probably end up running harder than I should so I've decided not to (run it)."

While clearly focused on the Mile, this ambitious athlete is also seeking a strong performance in Saturday's 10K.

"In the Fairmont to Fairmont Race I went through the 10K mark in about 37 or 38 minutes. I would really like to get a better time in this 10K. I'm hoping to be in the low 37s or 36 range but I have to take into consideration that I will be tired from the night before," she said.

"I'll give the 10K a good shot but I'm not really nervous about it. Probably because it's not my distance, there's not as much pressure on me. After Friday night I'll be more relaxed."

Couper, who has bounced back commendably from a stress fracture in her thigh last year, is feeling the twin emotions of excitement and butterflies as she prepares to compete in front of family and friends.

To keep calm and confident, she has been reminding herself that she has done the hard work and now it is time to simply let it show.

"When I finish I want to know I gave it my very best effort and not have any regrets. That's all I can do.

"It's both exciting and nerve-racking."