Some of the Island's top female runners will be vying to become the new champion of the annual all-women's PartnerRe Women's 5K Run & Walk tomorrow morning, writes Gayle Alleyne.

Though last year's winner Anna Eatherley is among the competitors she will not be the individual champion even if she crosses the line first. That's because the four-time winner is competing as a team with her seven-year-old daughter Rebecca. So all eyes will be on the likes of Ashley Couper, Victoria Fiddick and Maria Conroy-Haydon to see if one of them will take the crown. Another leading runner, Lynn Patchett, has opted to concentrate on training for the upcoming New York Marathon instead of racing.

"I think she (Anna) will still give them a good race though. The front pack should certainly be competitive," said race director Rosie Jones.

"Ashley has a 5k PB (personal best) of 17.44 minutes and the record for this course - set by Anna in 2000 - is 18.26 minutes. She is very strong at this distance and she has just come back from a stress fracture in her leg but she is feeling very good now. It should be interesting."

The fifth edition of this race takes place in the Botanical Gardens at 9 a.m. and the event has been switched from April to October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In keeping with its tradition of raising funds for women-related health and social causes, all proceeds will go towards purchasing a mammography unit for the Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association's new Resource Centre.

Jones said entries have been coming in steadily both on-line and at drop-off locations and organisers anticipate even greater participation than last year.

"We had 232 finishers (both runners and walkers) last year. I hope we can surpass that number. I think because we are tying it in to Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and the running season is just starting - a lot of women are very aware of it and have been looking forward to it. I hope all that contributes to making it a bigger event this time."