Some of the island’s elite runners will compete for early season bragging rights during Monday’s Labour Day 5k road race, hosted by Swan’s Running Club.

Among the top contenders competing in the men’s division this year are multiple winners Lamont Marshall and Sean Trott, along with the likes of Tim Price, Omari Hart and Scott Neil.

Expected to be thick in the hunt for women’s honours are Gayle Lindsay and Martina Olcheski-Bell.

Akim Johnston was last year’s overall winner while Lucy Ching topped the women’s field and was 15th overall.

Trevor Lindsay topped the overall masters field with the women’s masters title going to Sharon Craig.

Tommy and Jessie Marshall were last year’s top junior boy and girl while Shinah Simons and Gilda Cann captured the men’s and women’s titles in the 5K walk.

This year’s field had already eclipsed last year’s before yesterday’s online registration deadline, with organisers remaining hopeful of having more participants turn up at the start line on Monday.

“We are hoping to have about 150 participants,” André Rochester, the race director, said.

The race traditionally kicks off the new running season.

“It is the first race of the season and it is a privilege and an honour to host it,” Rochester added.

The 5k run features four divisions for junior athletes, who will compete over 2.4km course, and five for the adults.

Both race courses start and finish outside the Bermuda Industrial Union building on Union Square.

For the second straight year the event will include the Union Challenge, which will see the union with the highest percentage of participants awarded the Trade Union Congress Plaque.

Last year saw honours shared between the BIU and Bermuda Public Services Union after finishing tied with the same number of participants.

“This is the second time we are having the Union Challenge challenge which was received pretty good last year,” Rochester said.

“This year we have promoted it a lot better and hopefully we can get some more participants to enter.”

The junior race and walk will commence at 8am followed by the start of the 5K run at 8.30.