head to the National Sports Centre this weekend for the Bank of Butterfield Mile qualifying heats.

Smith has entered in today's adult male trials and is favoured to record the fastest qualifying time among runners in three age groups.

A number of late entries arrived yesterday and race director Michael Swan said he was pleased with the response.

"It's been an overwhelming response from schools and individuals,'' said Swan, the new vice president of track and field for the BTFA.

In the under-12s there will be four heats each day for both the boys and girls, with more than 15 runners in each heat. The under-18 females have a heat on each day with about 13 runners in each while the under-18 boys will also compete in two heats.

Runners are aiming to record the 20 fastest times in their divisions as a maximum of 20 will compete on Front Street in January.

Racing starts at 1.00 today and 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.