Excitement is mounting in the run-up to tomorrow’s 28th annual Catlin End-to-End with record levels of entrants expected.

Organisers and volunteers have been working diligently towards the Island-wide, multi-category event expected to attract more than 3,000 participants and thousands of spectators.

Whether you participate or not, it’s always an entertaining day with many dressing up in wacky costumes — keep your eyes peeled for a gaggle of Angry Birds on this year’s route.

The Royal Gazette is proud to be a Platinum End-to-End sponsor for the second year running and will be hosting not only a water stop for participants but also a Hawaiian-themed barbecue with a live DJ at Gray’s Bay — across from the Sea Cadet headquarters on Boaz Island — from 10am to 3pm.

There will be close to 20 other sponsored water stops from St George’s to Sandys as well as restroom stops along all of the routes.

This year there are categories for swimmers, walkers/runners, cyclists, quad rowers and paddle boarders with different start times and locations. Swimmers will head out this evening, while all other participants will take part tomorrow. While it is expected to be another successful event, some questionable weather does appear to be heading our way over the weekend.

The majority of participants are likely to be able to take part come rain or shine but doubts have been cast over whether the paddle board category can go ahead because of strong winds.

Harbour Radio said it would monitor the conditions and coordinate with organisers.

A spokesman said: “Currently the weather for the swimming event on Friday looks okay, however the paddle board event on Saturday is doubtful to proceed judging by the latest forecast.”

Glenn Mello of Island Winds water sports is the point of contact for paddle boarders who can keep up to date with announcements on the Facebook page Island Winds Bermuda, by e-mailing info@islandwindsbermuda.com or calling 705-1111.

According to the Bermuda Weather Service’s current forecast, Friday’s elite swimmers will experience mainly moderate west-southwesterly winds of 12 to 18 knots, occasionally increasing to moderate to strong (16 to 22 knots) and a water temperature of 71F.

Saturday’s participants will experience sunny periods in the morning with a possible shower or two before the likelihood of a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. During the afternoon there will be moderate to strong southwesterly winds (20 to 25 knots) with gusts to gale force (35 knots) and a temperature, again, of 71F.

The Catlin End-to-End event has distributed over $4.8 million to Bermuda charities since 1988 and organisers hope to exceed $5 million following this year’s event.

Chairwoman of the Catlin End-to-End Charitable Trust Anne Mello said: “Because of the generosity of all of our sponsors and in particular our title sponsor, Catlin, and Platinum sponsors The Royal Gazette and CellOne, we are able to distribute 100 per cent of all of the entry fees and pledges directly to Bermuda charities for Bermuda-only programmes and projects.”

Last year there were more than 3,000 official entrants helping to raise a total of $307,000 for 13 charities, including three recipients of the Catlin Marine Grant.

Family-based charities were chosen as the beneficiaries this year — Friends of Hospice, The Family Centre, The Eliza DoLittle Society and YouthNet.

Ms Mello added: “Our emphasis this year is on families. All funds raised stay in Bermuda and help four charities that are on the front lines of supporting Bermuda’s families in need.”

• For more information, including times for transportation around the Island, and the donation page, visit www.bermudaendtoend.bm