Runners who would like the opportunity to take part in one the world's greatest marathons – the New York Marathon – should move quickly if they want to snap up one of the final nine guaranteed places available to Island athletes.

A party of 26 runners from Bermuda, representing all standards, have already been assembled to compete in the city event in November.

The Mid Atlantic Athletic Club-organised group were given an allocation of 35 places for this year's race, and have nine remaining slots that ideally have to be taken up this week.

Bermuda is normally well represented in the event, which is arguably the most popular overseas marathon for Island-based athletes due to its proximity, prestige and the generous allocation of guaranteed places courtesy of links forged between the road race and Bermuda over the years.

Leading runners usually secure places by meeting the qualifying time standards – and this is the route taken by last year's fastest Bermuda runner Jay Donawa, who finished 186th in two hours 42 minutes and 37 seconds.

Veteran New York Marathon competitors from the Island, Manuel Lopes, Ricky Sousa and Geoff Blee also regularly secure their places with qualifying times. Lopes has competed more than 25 times, while Sousa is also thought to have taken his tally of New York Marathon appearances into double figures.

Blee, was third home for the Island last year behind Donawa and Tony Banks. He just missed the three-hour benchmark on that occasion.

Speaking this week of the attraction of the race, he said: "This year marks my 10th New York Marathon, and 20th marathon overall, having run Boston (three times), Chicago (2), Miami (2), Bermuda (2) and Toronto.

"New York is special as it was the first marathon I ran and I really enjoy the city. Annually a large crew from Bermuda participates and the camaraderie makes it special. Everyone running the New York Marathon – and other fall marathons – knows how hard it is to train in the Bermuda summer.

That dedication and sacrifice to training for the ultimate marathon really hits home when you cross the finish line in Central Park and realise your accomplishment.

"Coupled with the Friday happy hour and post race party/dinner and then shopping the day after (my wife's marathon experience!) rounds out a fantastic weekend."

Chief organiser of the MAAC trip, Dannielle Bezant said: "One of the big attractions is the prestige of running New York and the crowds – the spectators for New York are fantastic. The group leave on Friday, which means they can go to the Expo on Friday or Saturday to pick up their number."

The group's hotel in New York is within walking distance of the finish, and there is a bus at 6 a.m. on race day to take athletes to the start line. Eighteen weeks before the race, Bezant starts sending out weekly e-mails to those training for New York to give them details of the (long) Sunday training run and where water and Gatorade has been stashed for their refreshment.

"I think the runners really appreciate this, especially when the runs get longer – they don't have to think about putting out water or where to run and they enjoy having other people to run with," she said.

"Prior to leaving Bermuda there will be a little party where runners can collect their travel packages and meet the rest of the runners. The last Sunday before New York the run is short and the more experienced runners will come out and give tips. After the marathon there is also a party in New York where the runners can swap stories and experiences of the day."

Anyone who is up for the challenge of running 26.2 miles through five boroughs of New York City on November 7, along with around 40,000 others from around the world, should contact Bezant at: dkb@northrock.bm