Victoria Fiddick will be back to defend her title when the annual PartnerRe Women's Charity 5K Run and Walk sets off from the Botanical Gardens tomorrow.

Last year saw more than 1,000 finishers, making the event the largest on the domestic road running calendar despite the fact that races are open to females only.

Competitors this year are raising funds for The Family Centre.

The races begin with a junior girls' 3K race at 8.30 a.m., followed by the event – a 5K run and walk starting at 9.00.

A corporate trophy will be awarded to the company with the most employees participating while the school with the most entrants will receive a $500 cash gift, dedicated to sports programmes and equipment.

Late entries will be accepted today at registration and number collection at the Jack King (Poultry) Building in the Botanical Gardens. Gift bags and T-shirts will go to the first 1,000 registrants.

Launched in 1998 by Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club with PartnerRe Ltd. as title sponsors, the event has raised more than $170,000 for female-related causes in Bermuda. These include programmes to fight heart disease and physical abuse, support rape victims, educate teenagers, combat breast cancer, and fund equipment and initiatives supporting the treatment of women's health.

More than $10,000 in prizes will be up for grabs.