Bermuda Marathon Weekend organisers have closed entries for this weekend’s half-marathon and Bermuda Triangle Half Challenge after reaching the race limit.

The move reflects an increase in overall participant numbers, which at the start of the week topped 1,200. That represents an increase of around ten per cent on last year.

Around 550 people have signed up for Sunday’s half-marathon, either as individuals or as part of the triple-race Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

“We have reached the limit on that event,” Anthony Raynor, the event organiser, said.

“We have done really well to have the increase in numbers we have seen.”

Late entries are still being accepted for Saturday’s 10K run and walk, and Sunday’s full marathon.

New York state and Ontario, Canada are providing the greatest percentage of overseas competitors, with “a good number” also coming from Florida, according to Raynor.

“I did not expect that, considering the Miami Marathon is held the following week,” he said.

Overseas competitors are also travelling from as far away as Britain, Germany, Hungry, Mexico, Iceland, South Africa, Australia and Afghanistan.

Women participants are set to outnumber men during the three days of running. Women make up 59 per cent of the total number of entrants.

“There is another running boom happening. There are more people out there running,” Raynor said.

“The Bermuda Marathon Weekend is going to be a fun event, and the type of overseas participants we have are looking for an experience; apart from the races, they also want to see other parts of Bermuda.”

Ongoing renovations at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, which in past years has acted as a central hub for the race weekend, mean a number of activities have been relocated to the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.

United States athlete and coach Bryan Huberty, who won Sunday’s Fairmont to Fairmont road race, will give a talk on ChiRunning and ChiWalking at the Fairmont Southampton on Thursday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

On Saturday afternoon, there is a showing of the film Running Strong at 2.30pm at the hotel, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session on setting running goals with Huberty, Bermuda International 10K record holder Geoff Smith, and former top Bermuda runner Peggy Couper.

Then, between 4pm and 5pm, Runner’s World’s Bart Yasso will talk about his running experiences. All these events are free to attend.

Race numbers can be collected at Pier 6, on Front Street, on Friday between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, when late entries will also be taken.

The KPMG Front Street Mile races, including the overseas elite adult races, will take place on Friday, starting at 6.45pm with the Bermuda Triangle Challenge mile races, followed by the local primary, middle and senior schools races, the local men and women’s races and then climaxing with the elite mile races.

On Saturday the 10K road race and walk starts and finishes at the National Sports Centre,. The race begins at 9am. On Sunday the half-marathon and marathon start and finish on Front Street. The races begin together at 8am.