One of the more popular events on the road running calendar, the Butterfield and Vallis 5K is set for tomorrow with around 600 entries expected.

The junior and senior races, as well as the 5K Walk, will start outside the Butterfield and Vallis premises on Woodlands Road with this year's edition again seeing the use of time chips, courtesy of Bermuda Timing Systems, which allows results to be produced accurately and swiftly.

Organised by the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT), the event begins at 9 a.m. with the 12 and under boys and girls running a 2.7 kilometre route.

Those in the over-13 age category as well as the adults will tackle the traditional 5K route, starting at 9.30.

Walkers will start after the runners.

"Preparations have been going fine," said Mike Charles from the BUT. "As of yesterday morning (Thursday) we had 548 entries, so we are expected to be close to 600 by race day.

"It is the same course for both juniors and seniors. There isn't any difference between this year and last, we are just hoping for better weather.

"We have always had a challenge with this race due to the time of the year."

Entry forms are available at the SportSeller, Sports 'R' Us and at Butterfield and Vallis locations, and participants can enter online at www. bermudatiming.bm

Draw prizes include an American Airlines ticket to the United States, two pedal bikes and Sportseller gift certificates.

Runners will receive a T-shirt along with a goodie bag and medals will be given out to all finishers.

The last day for entry was Wednesday, while late registration and number pick-up is today between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Butterfield and Vallis on Woodlands Road.

All proceeds will go to the BUT's Youth Development Project.

n The 2008 KPMG Junior Running Series prize-giving was held on Wednesday evening with awards given to the six age-group champions.

This year's series consisted of three races with points awarded after each event, determining the overall winners – Girls 8-10, Zakiyyah Showers; Boys 8-10, Diondré Dowling; Girls 11-12, Kyrah Scraders; Boys 11-12, Justin Ferreira; Girls 13-15, Megan Berry; Boys 13-15, Trey Simons.

Race director Laura Keyes said she was proud of all those whose participated, believing that the best is yet to come from the Island's young runners.

She also hailed the 'fantastic' turn-out in each age group, particularly in the Girls' eight to 10 division.

"Looking back at this series, one of the successes is the number of eight-10 year-old girls in Bermuda who have been drawn to the series," said Keyes. "At the Botanical Gardens race there was a bumper crop of these young girls and it wasn't a one-off blip – they kept coming back for more and ran the Swan's Cross-Country the weekend after and the Odd Events 1500 metres in December.

"Bermuda has so much talent. All this talent needs an outlet and we are very fortunate that Bermuda's corporate world provides some generous sponsors, particularly in this time of economic decline.

"KPMG put on a well organised race at the Botanical Gardens in November. Judy Lait took over from Marcia DeCouto as KPMG chief organiser of the event and as many saw the race went off without a single hitch.

"Every year Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club (MAAC) and KPMG discuss how to improve the series."

Full list of winners

– see Page 20