the main women's race of the year.

The second Women's PartnerRe 5K, the only event on the race calendar geared specifically to women, had already been robbed of Lynn Patchett, who fractured her ankle in a training accident late last month.

Now it has also lost defending champion Anna Eatherley, also with an ankle injury, while Maria Conroy-Hayden is uncertain to run, according to organisers.

Jane Christie missed the recent Evian ten-miler with injury and could not be contacted to confirm whether she would run this Sunday.

And Julia Hawley, who was also expected to take part, is off the Island celebrating her wedding anniversary.

Eatherley, the leading woman in the Evian event three weeks ago, was taken to hospital after injuring her left ankle jumping off a wall. Fears that it was broken were laid to rest after a specialist diagnosed a serious sprain and a lay-off period of two to four weeks.

Eatherley's husband Brett Forgesson said: "She's undoubtedly disappointed not to be able to defend her title but it's just one of those things.

"Hopefully she won't miss any other important races, although you can never tell with these strains.'' There was, however, some good news for race organisers, when Karen Adams confirmed she would compete.

Adams would be among the top finishers even with the others taking part, but if they are all absent, she would be favourite to coast home, her only challenge likely to come from the fast-improving 29-year-old Georgia Belboda.

Sunday's event brings women's running, so often overshadowed by the men's races, to the fore.

And a women's charity will be the beneficiary as the proceeds will go to the Women's Resource Centre.

Rosemary Jones, another leading runner on the Island, will be prevented from competing by her responsibilities as race director.

She said: "The whole event is geared to women and the proceeds will go to a women's related charity.'' Despite the loss of several top competitors, Jones thinks the race will grow in stature each year.

"Last year we were really encouraged by the numbers -- we had 165 finishers,'' she noted. "It's fun and the sponsors are really excited. "It's the only running event geared to women on the race calendar. It's a chance for them to have the spotlight. We hope to see it grow and grow.

"We thought it was important to encourage the women runners. There are a lot of women out there who don't feel comfortable competing in the bigger and more established races. It's a very welcoming event.'' The race will start at 9.00 a.m. at the Botanical Gardens (parking is allowed in the hospital's north parking lot) and will take the runners -- and walkers -- along South Road, onto Trimingham Hill, Harbour Road, Lovers Lane, back on Middle Road to Point Finger Road, Berry Hill Road and to the north gate at Camden. Some of the Island's top junior runners will also be able to compete as there will be an under-16 race over a distance of 3.2K. That will cover a course along Berry Hill Road, Point Finger Road, South Road, Tee Street and back to Camden.

Entry forms should be filled out and droped off with the entry fee at Sportseller, New Winner's Edge by tomorrow. Late entries will be accepted on race day.

Another registration alternative is to sign up online at (www.bermuda.bm/partnerre5k) and then pay on the day of the race. On that website will also be information about the Women's Resource Centre.

Anna Eatherley: ruled out of Sunday's race by a sprained ankle.