It all started with just seven runners lining up to run a marathon 40 years ago, in January 1975. From that inauspicious beginning the Bermuda Marathon Weekend has grown to become of the most impressive multi-day events on the Island’s sporting calendar. As this year’s running festival gets underway the number of registered participants has topped 1,300 and more late entries were anticipated tomorrow and Saturday.

The 40th anniversary Bermuda Marathon Weekend is shaping up to be highly competitive and entertaining, with three-times champion Jordan Chipangama, of Zambia, making a welcome return among a handful of invited elite overseas competitors.

Chipangama, 26, is in the form of his life. During the past year he set a lifetime best at the Grandma’s Marathon, in Duluth, Minnesota, where he was seventh in 2hr 12min 21 sec.

But as always, the Bermuda Marathon Weekend is as much about the hundreds of everyday runners and walkers taking part as it is about the elites at the front of the field.

The event’s success rests with the many competitors who show up each year to achieve their own personal goals, whether that be to run their fastest time, win their age division, or simply conquer the race distances.

The Island’s beauty and the friendliness and enthusiasm of spectators prove added joy for locals and visitors alike.

It was on January 15, 1975 — a day of high winds and rain — that seven runners lined up for the Island’s first 26.2-mile marathon. Only five runners finished the race, which was won by Canadian Olympic marathoner Andy Boychuk in 2:25:14. One of Bermuda’s best distance runners, Ray Swan, finished third in 2:43.14.

There was no race in 1976, but from 1977 onwards the marathon was an annual event. A 10K was added in 1978, followed by the popular Front Street Mile races in 1989. A half-marathon race was also incorporated from 1993 onwards.

In 2008 the Bermuda Triangle Challenge was created, offering competitors the change to compete over three races in three days.

Over the years many world renowned runners have taken part in the Bermuda Marathon Weekend, including former World Marathon champion Douglas Wakiihuri, Commonwealth Games marathon champion Ron Hill, multi-New York Marathon winner Grete Waitz, Olympic Marathon champion Frank Shorter, and Steve Cram when he was the mile world record holder.

Two times Boston Marathon champion Geoff Smith still holds the Bermuda 10K course record, after running 28:14 in 1982. Now 61, he is back this year and hopes to run in as many of the races as he is able.

This week, event organiser Anthony Raynor said: “There is another running boom happening. There are more people out there running.

“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.”

The races get underway tomorrow with the KPMG Front Street mile races, and the Bermuda Triangle Challenge miles, starting at 6.45pm on Front Street.

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.

Inside this supplement are some inspiring stories about this year’s participants, together with a list of entrants, and route maps.

Whether this is your first experience of the Bermuda Marathon Weekend, or you are a running veteran coming back for more, or you simply plan to come along to spectate and cheer, we wish you an enjoyable and memorable experience.