The annual Bermuda Race Weekend has received a financial blow with the pull-out of title sponsor ADT Limited, The Royal Gazette has learned.

After five years as the major booster, supplying the event with an estimated $35,000 per year, the electronic security and vehicle auction services conglomerate decided against renewing a contract which expired following this year's spectacle.

During that period the name ADT had become synonymous with the ADT Bermuda 10-K and ADT Bermuda marathon and half-marathon.

However, both race director Phil Guishard and president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association Stan Douglas said that the move would not diminish the event in any way.

"We're ready to go. The show has got to go on, you can't fall on your knees,'' said Guishard, who did not reveal whether another major sponsor had been lined up for 1996, although he noted that brochures were already being printed.

"The show was never based on ADT or any other sponsor, it was here before ADT and still remains after.

"All I can say is that all major events of this nature go through a three-year turnover of corporate sponsors and we were fortunate that we had ADT on board for five years.'' Douglas agreed, adding that there was no crisis developing and said there was no need for panic.

He said that a committee had already been formed which would be travelling to New York for the New York Marathon on November 12 with the aim of selling the Bermuda event.

"I don't see this as a major crisis although, obviously, we would like to have a sponsor considering the size of the event,'' said Douglas. "It's just a matter of us going out and finding someone who sees it as a good investment as ADT did. And as far as we're concerned it was and remains a good investment and it's a matter of finding someone to buy into it.'' Each January the weekend traditionally attracts hundreds of overseas distance runners, including those of world class status in addition to the fun runners.

Friday's Front Street Mile was followed by a 10-kilometre road race on the Saturday, with the marathon and half-marathon on Sunday.

Douglas admitted that there could be some problems in luring as many world class runners as in the past, but this would be due mainly to the fact that 1996 is an Olympic year and many might find it hard to include Bermuda in their schedules.

The amount of prize money was likewise a point of concern, but "something that was always up for review,'' according to Guishard.

Excluding bonuses, more than $20,000 was doled out this year in placement prize money.

Moises Requena of Mexico and American Roxie Erickson took the men's and women's honours in the marathon, Peter Whitehead of England and Anne-Marie Letko of the US were champs in the 10-K, while John Kipkoskei and Letko placed first in the half-marathon.

ADT Limited recorded a profit of $111 million in 1994. No officials of the company were available for comment yesterday since the firm's London-based head office was closed.

ON THE RUN -- Anne-Marie Letko, left, is shown winning last year's half-marathon while Peter Whitehead, right, leads the 10-K pack.