promises to make the season's first official triathlon an exciting affair.

The International Tri Gatorade will be held on an Olympic-distance course at Clearwater Beach in St. David's on April 26.

And it's expected to be one of the largest triathlons ever held here with 35 athletes from overseas taking up the challenge along with 150 Island competitors in team and individual events over a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run.

Similar to International Race Weekend, it will see Bermuda triathletes going head-to-head against overseas participants.

Local triathletes will also use the event as a qualifying race for the World Triathlon Championships later this year in Perth, Australia.

The main event will be preceded by a junior triathlon for eight to 14-year-olds competing over a 200-metre swim, six-mile cycle and one-mile run.

Scott Willet, coach of the New York University TriClub and Chad Schur, coach of the NYU Cycling Club, are enthusiastic about bringing many of their team members here, all of whom, the say, are accomplished triathletes.

Also expected are six members of the New Paltz, New York, triathlon club, headed by Marcello Toricelli, who finished second last year to Bermuda's Neil de Ste Croix. Toricelli expects to be in better condition for this year's triathlon after fading from first place during the run in last year's race.

Bermuda Triathlon Association are encouraging members of the local swimming, cycling and running clubs to form teams to fend off the international challenge. Gatorade are providing prizes of $100 vouchers.

Entry forms are available at Sportseller and Winner's Edge in Hamilton.