More than 70 overseas runners are heading to the island to participate in the Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

The group, mostly made up of athletes from the United States, is being brought to Bermuda by the Boston-based Marathon Tours & Travel, includes a mixture of runners who are taking part in the three-day event which starts on January 12 with the Butterfield Mile.

Thom Gilligan, the founder of Marathon Tours & Travel, has a long association with the Bermuda Triangle Challenge, having sent athletes from as far back as 1980, which was actually his first tour after establishing the company in 1979.

Karen Hoch, the Marathon Tours & Travel marketing manager, said the company had recorded an increase from last year’s participation.

“We are the official tour operator bringing runners to Bermuda to participate in the weekend events,’’ Hoch said. “We have 72 people coming, mostly from the United States. Even though we’re based in the Boston area, they come from all over the country.

“We have seven from Canada, two from the Grand Cayman, and then the rest are from the US.

“The majority are doing the Challenge, whether it’s the half or the full, they’re participating in all the races on three days.

“We have about six who are just participating in the 10K, then in the half-marathon we have 34, 11 in the marathon, and a few who are just doing the individual events.

“I was there last year and it’s really such a fun weekend and they do such a great job organising this event. It gives that community feel for sure.

“Last year, we were just hovering around 50, so we’re excited about the increased number of participants.

“This year, there are a few more additional flights coming from the East Coast, especially to Bermuda and most people are comfortable again travelling.

“We brought runners in 2015, but then not again until 2020 when we had quite a big group of about 150.

“Sometimes when we don’t offer a trip for some time, the demand builds-up, which is why the Bermuda Triangle Challenge in 2020 was very popular.”

On the composition of the group, Hoch indicated that they have a mixture of professionals, who are all enthusiastic runners.

“We have doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, the retired,’’ she said. “We have quite a variety of clients, but they just love the sport of running and travelling.

“Of course we have some competitive runners. Otherwise it’s the camaraderie that they enjoy, the destination and the race ambience, what it gives in terms of their travel experience.

“We have a few that are coming; they’re not runners, they come as supporters to whether it’s a friend or their significant other. They come to enjoy the weekend and don’t participate in any of the races.

In terms of Bermuda’s attractiveness as a running destination, Hoch highlighted that the island is appealing to those in the US since they are escaping from the harsh weather at this time of the year.

“In January, we need a break from the cold so Bermuda is very enticing,’’ Hoch said “The weather is great for running in January and it’s a beautiful place.

“Those who just want to get away for a weekend, we have quite a few of our clients who actually extend their time, they come in early and stay later just to make it a holiday.

“Selling Bermuda in the winter is not that difficult. It’s definitely a desirable location because of the nice warmer climate.”

Just to show how appealing Bermuda is to the runners, Gail and Jim White, Brian Gerhardson, John Shade, Tracy and Malcolm Hiltz are returning for the second year in a row.

“We have six who are returning, they were with me last year,’’ Hoch said. “They’re coming back because they loved it so much and had such a great experience.

“They’re bringing along additional people too, so that’s even better.”