Last weekend’s Labour Day race kicked off a busy year of road running and track season leading up to next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

This Sunday will see the Validus Running of the Bulls before the opening race of the cross-country season is held at Chaplin Bay on September 26.

Further races of the series will be held on October 10 and 24 at Fort Scaur in Somerset and Astwood Park in Warwick before two more events are held in November at the Arboretum and then Chaplin Bay ahead of the National Championships in December.

The popular women’s only PartnerRe 5K race, which last year attracted over 1,000 runners, walkers and juniors, is scheduled for October 4.

Ashley Estwanik, who competed in her first cycle race last month, the gruelling 100 kilometre Presidents Race around the Island, won last year’s race by more than a minute over second-placed Tamika Williams.

Other major events on the calendar include the Hannover Re Half-Marathon on November 15 and the Bacardi 8K the next weekend.

The Fairmont to Fairmont is set for January 10, with Bermuda Marathon Weekend is held on January 15, 16 and 17.

Three track meets are also scheduled in January, followed by three more in February and a final Carifta trial in March to enable youngsters to reach qualifying standards for the Games, which are scheduled for Grenada on between March 25 to 28.

The Lindo’s to Lindo’s 10K will also take place in March, as well as the Schools Track and Field Championships.

In May, Chris and Ashley Estwanik look to defend their titles in the Appleby Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby, which will start in Somerset.

The BNAA National Championships are scheduled for June 10 and 11, ahead of international competitions such as the NACAC Under-23 Championships in Puerto Rico and World Junior Championships in July.