Nearly 50 fearless runners are preparing to lay their bodies on the line for the gruelling Bermuda Triangle Challenge - as the Bermuda International Race Weekend looms ever closer.

For the first time in the event's 33-years the 10km run/walk, marathon/half marathon and Front Street Mile will be brought under one umbrella for those willing to take part in the inaugural Challenge, between January 18-20.

Historically only runners who qualified during last month's trials, or elite overseas invites, could run the KPMG Front Street Mile events, but organisers have created an open division to enable overseas entrants, and locals, to take part in all three events.

So far 16 entries have been received for the full Challenge, 12 from overseas, while the Bermudian contingent includes veteran road ace Calvin Steede, Ian Coles, Carol Griffith and Edwina Arorash who will be running the marathon. There have been 32 entries for the half-Challenge, with 20 coming from overseas runners.

The Challenge is the brainchild of the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) and Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel as part of a drive to garner greater interest from overseas entrants. Participants who complete the Challenge will receive a commemorative medal and t-shirt.

It is hoped the new initiative will reinvigorate interest in the International Race Weekend and attract more visitors to the Island during this traditionally quiet tourist month.

The event falls on Martin Luther King weekend, allowing US participants to return home on the Monday holiday. Runners have until tomorrow to register their entires for the Challenge.

Organiser Pam Shailer said she had been surprised by the interest generated in the Challenge, which is based on Disney's Goofy's Race and Half Challenge,

"The Challenge has added another dimension to the event and a lot of race weekends now offer these sort of packages," she said. "We've been delighted with the numbers of entrants we have received, especially from overseas."

A dozen or so elite runners from across the globe will again be competing in the Front Street Mile a week on Friday, with organisers still offering $10,000 for anyone who shatters the four-minute mark. The identities of the elite athletes will be released at a press conference tomorrow.

For more details visit www.bermudaraceweekend.com.