Some of Bermuda's top runners will battle for places in the annual Front Street Mile when the Mile Trials take place this weekend.

At last count yesterday evening, 160 people had entered the trials which start at the National Sports Centre at 1 p.m. today and continue at the same time tomorrow.

There will be three categories - under-12, under-18 and adults - with the top 20 in each age group - both male and female - advancing to the Front Street event on January 17.

While the number of entrants is "about the same as last year", race director Gerry Swan admitted "it's down from three years ago". Nonetheless the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) expects keen competition - particularly in the under-18 girls - as local athletes get in gear for the upcoming season.

Among those who will be on the starting line during the two-day meet are Tre Simons, Flora Duffy, Shardae Whitter, Deanna Lightbourne, Tiffany Eatherley, Ashley Couper - the defending women's champion in the Front Street Mile - Michael Donawa, Damien Simmons and Sheldon Thompson.