International Race Weekend begins on Friday night.

Marcos Barreto -- the 10K winner in 1992 and 1993 -- officially informed the Race Weekend chairman yesterday that he would not be making the trip to Bermuda.

A mix-up in communication with the Mexican runner, who is also suffering from a leg injury, dashed any hope that Barreto would be competing in Friday night's Mile or Saturday's 10K.

When Barreto received his invitation by fax on December 22 he believed a question mark placed next to a sentence declaring he would be given free air fare left open the possibility that he would have to fork out for the fee himself.

Guishard said the question mark was put there so Barreto could inform the race committee where he would be flying from.

Guishard, who spoke to Barreto's wife Angeles yesterday, tried to find out why her husband hadn't tried to make contact with Bermuda race officials.

"She said they were away for Christmas holidays and they didn't understand the invitation,'' said Guishard. "She said things are difficult and they can't make a lot of calls.'' The misunderstanding now deprives organisers of a marquee name for at least two of this weekend's events and his absence will also hit organisers in the pocketbook -- close to $1,000.

"It means now we have to retrieve this wretched, expensive ticket we sent out,'' said Guishard.

Guishard ruled out bringing in another Mexican runner.

Barreto was also miffed yesterday when informed that the ticket would be left for him at Mexico City airport -- an eight-hour drive from his home in Guadalajara. A flight from his home to the Mexican capital would have cost him at least $200.

"You can fly from Guadalajara to Dallas perfect, there are a lot of flights from here to Dallas,'' Barreto's wife Angeles said yesterday.

Later she added: "Everything was very confusing. We were just waiting for a telephone call after we received the invitation.

"(Marcos) was surprised because they didn't call, then they could have explained the question mark. Marcos was assuming they were not going to pay for the plane ticket. He has a lot of experience with race directors and races, over 11 years. He said when a director wants you to come to the race he calls you. He likes to be called.'' Guishard said he was planning to contact Barreto all along.

"Because of the nature of the pre-paid ticket, there is always contact.

Without maligning anyone it's really the Mexican situation that caused this problem in the first place. The American agent of two of the other Mexicans was one who indicated that there is not a good reliance on courier services once packages reach Mexico.'' Barreto's non-refundable ticket will cost organisers just under $800 and an additional $200 was spent on courier fees. "I'm sure we'll be able to use the value in some other way, but we won't be able to get up front cash back. The courier money we'll never get back.'' Barreto's absence will now put the spotlight on three other Mexicans -- Maximo Castillo (10K), Benjamin Paredes (10K) and Moises Requena (marathon) -- all expected to command attention this weekend.

Despite the mix-up, Barreto is still keen to return in 1996.

"Marcos loves that race and he would love to go back next year and we hope that next year everything is more clear,'' said Angeles Barreto. "He loves Bermuda. We're really sad. We know (there's) a new race director and probably it's very difficult to organise a race.'' The Mexican runner suffered an injury to his right leg when he fell off his bike recently, so there was never any guarantee he would be coming here.

"He's running very easy now,'' said his wife. "About 45 minutes a day. Maybe he could have run, sometimes the body responds very easily and probably he could do a good race. But it's not 100 percent now.'' Guishard was hoping to avoid similar pitfalls yesterday by contacting as many of the overseas runners as possible.

"By the time we get back in tomorrow morning all (overseas runners) will have been contacted,'' he said.

Guishard still managed to keep a sense of humour despite the Mexican problem, but he does not anticipate further problems. "I'll be a lot more comfortable when I finish checking with the Europeans.'' Later he said: "Certainly if one can remain cool there is potential to enjoy the exercise. It'll be 10 times easier next year.'' The event will still have some big-name participants.

Expected to arrive later this week are Michal Bartoszak of Poland, returning to defend his title in the Mile and 10K and Anne-Marie Letko will also be back to defend her 10K crown.

Other key overseas participants include Paul Freary of England, who finished a close second behind Bartoszak in last year's Mile, and a trio of Kenyans who are bound to make things interesting. John Kipkoskei and Richard Rono will take part in the 10K while Billy Konchellah will run the Mile.

Bermuda Pacers Track Club members resume training tonight at 4.30 at National Stadium.

PHILIP GUISHARD -- Mexicans still on menu.