The Telford Electric Magic Mile will reach a milestone with next weekend’s race marking the 20th edition of one of the Island’s most popular junior races.

To mark the occasion, the event organisers, Bermuda Pacers Track Club, are calling on all former participants over the age of 16 to come out and compete in an 800 metres “celebration run”.

Some of the Island’s top athletes have participated in the Telford Mile since it began in 1995, most notably top triathlete Flora Duffy who still holds the girls 6 to 7 age group record.

Cal Simons, the race director along with Wayne Raynor, estimates that almost 10,000 youngsters have competed in the races in the last 12 years.

“Since 2003, once we started recording statistics, we have had over 10,000 youngsters registered and some 9,600 actually compete,” Simons said.

“The Bermuda Pacers and Telford Industries have been like a one-two punch as it promotes junior running in Bermuda and this year with our 20th anniversary we just wanted to do one or two different things.

“We will continue to give $200 to the schools in each division that has the most number of runners that complete the event.

“In 1995 when it started it was a senior race in Somerset but with juniors in it too, hosted by Swan’s Running Club. The next year Judy Simmons, our president then, made contact with the Telfords about holding a junior race similar to the Pro Shop Junior Road Race they used to have.

“We’ve had a good relationship with them and this event is a major fundraiser for the Bermuda Pacers Track Club, which allows us to raise funds to take our athletes abroad. We’re grateful that Telford has been with us that long.”

Heather Telford, of Telford Industries, said her family was proud to be the main sponsors.

“As major sponsors for all these years we’re very proud, it’s a race that could go on for another 20 years,” she said.

“Hopefully we can continue to be the main sponsor. We’re very proud of the race. The first race was done by Swan’s Running Club and Bermuda Pacers have done it for 19 years straight and have done a fantastic job in organising the event. We have to thank the volunteers, the parents and the schools.”

Regular registration deadline is this Saturday and registration forms must be returned to Telford Depot in Somerset, Sportseller in the Washington Mall and the International Sports Shop in the Washington Mall by 4.45pm.

Forms are also available at Government and private schools. Late entries will be accepted Monday to Wednesday next week.

Race numbers can be collected at the National Sports Centre on race day from 8.30am to 11am.

“We hope to get over 1,000 athletes and I’m sure we’ll have some of the top runners who took part in the recent cross country and Front Street Mile races,” Simons said.

Simons can be contacted on 337-0237 and Raynor at 337-0088.

Special trophies will be presented to the fastest finishers of each heat for four, five, six and seven year olds.

The four and five year olds will do one lap around the track (¼mile) while the six and seven year olds will run a half mile (two laps).

Eight to 15 years olds will run a mile, including going out to the Aboretum.