Above the noise and excitement of Monday's Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby there will be another footstep echoing across the Island – and that is the unmistakable march of time marking 99 years since the Island's key road race was first held.

Since the inaugural race in 1909 there has only been one year, back in 1915 during World War I, when the event did not take place. It now ranks amongst the top five longest-held continually run annual road races in the world – only a dozen years younger than the famous Boston Marathon.

Heading the race committee is Dr. Gina Tucker, who is one of the new generation now entrusted to carry the historic event forward into its second century at the centre of the Island's sporting calendar.

Most of the main committee are the children of past race organisers and, as such, grew up involved in the hustle and bustle of the race preparations each year.

The magic of the race may well reside in the fact that it has always been a race by the people, for the people.

Dr. Tucker and her fellow committee members fit that description and know only too well how precious the event has become in the collective psyche of the Island.

And there is a living reminder of the glorious back history of the derby race this year as the equal oldest competitor in this year's race, wearing bib number 423, is bygone legend Ed Sherlock.

Mr. Sherlock won the race on six occasions starting in 1956 and with a five-year unbroken string of victories from 1958 to 1962.

If, at the age of 76, the Southampton resident makes it all the way he will be honouring an impressive tradition that reached its pinnacle with the biggest Marathon Derby name of them all, 'Sir' Stanley Burgess.

Between 1930 and 1951, 'Sir' Stanley won the marathon six times, and is credited with a further six wins in the splinter 'marathon group' alternative race when it was held during the years 1926 and 1944.

Such prowess rightly gave 'Sir' Stanley the mantle as Mr. Marathon, and he went on to compete an estimated 56 times with his last appearance in the 1983 race, aged 81, when he was given a standing ovation as he crossed the line in just under three hours. A little over a year later he passed away leaving a story and legacy unlikely ever be matched.

According to the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, it was his undying loyalty to the race that endeared the people to call him 'Sir'.

There are 626 official entrants this year. The race has thrived in its own quirky way by restricting entry, with almost no exception, to Bermudians and Island residents – and residents must have been on the Island for at least six months.

Since last year the race has been an officially measured half-marathon of 13.1 miles.

As one race ends, the planning for next year's begins almost instantly, according to Dr. Tucker.

Next year will be a special event as it will be exactly 100 years since the first race was held as a challenge between British soldiers and locals. Because of the missing race in 1915, the 100th annual race follows in 2010. So there will be two special anniversary events to celebrate.

Dr. Tucker has taken over the reigns of the event from her father Richard Tucker who returned to the Island in 1952, took an interest in the growing popularity of the event and was asked to join the organising committee by his own uncle Cecil Minors.

"I can remember the days when the race started in Hamilton and ended in St. David's, and when we had the finish up at the stadium," said Dr. Tucker, who is also head of Victor Scott School.

She can recall seeing the great 'Sir' Stanley Burgess in many of the races.

"He was a small, very humble man with his scarf tied around his head. I can still picture him running down the hills, being very cool," she said.

When 'Sir' Stanley passed away, race bib number 1 was retired as a mark of respect in his honour. Almost a quarter of a century later that coveted race number continues to be retired such is the vast impact 'Sir' Stanley still holds to the memory of the race.

As she grew up Dr. Tucker watched the preparations each year for the race, gaining a first-hand insight into how the event ticked. That knowledge has proved useful the past four years since she became one of the organisers.

An increasingly slick operation has been evolving, noticeably with sponsorship from Appleby, supported by ING, Barritts, BGA and CellularOne, competitor numbers going up, classy T-shirts and this year the introduction of microchip timing at the finish line.

It is a lot of hard work, and around 75 volunteers will be out on the day making sure the race runs smoothly

"It is always exciting and we are working hard to take the event to another level, particularly with next year being the unofficial 100th race and then the official 100th race the year after," said Dr. Tucker.

"We're working to make it more enjoyable for people; from the time they register to the prize presentation - making it rewarding and memorable and exciting."

Last year the event has also started to generate money for Island charities and this is something the race committee plans to step up next year.

Dr. Tucker believes May 24 can become the biggest charitable event on the Island, even eclipsing the likes of the End-to-End and the Ross 'Blackie' Talbot golf events.

On race day Dr. Tucker will be taking a relatively backseat in the proceedings allowing volunteers and helpers to role into action.

Pointing out that she and the rest of the committee have full-time jobs outside the race organising, she said: "We do recognise the huge responsibility we have. We are the children of the former committee and we are keeping this legacy moving. It has been handed down to us from the people who started it all."

The magic of the race is undeniable. It is the single race in Bermuda that holds sway over all others and puts the winner onto a historical list alongside the Island's greats.

Ray Swan, founder of the Swan's Running Club, and Bermuda's fastest marathoner with a best time of two hours 26 minutes and a Commonwealth Games appearance to his record, won May 24 twice.

The 1978 and 1981 champ is 70 this year and, although he won't be racing, is already training for the 100-year anniversary in 12 months' time.

He said: "I'm still in the gym, I haven't stopped. I've been running in Atlanta and then I came back the other day and ran here and did 10 miles and I was done because of the hills.

"I want to come back strong and fast and be in the top 10 again."

Sylvester Jean-Pierre is 50. His best finish was a third place in 2003. He intends to give another good account of himself this year.

"There is a lot of history to this race that makes it so popular. It is the thing that people most look forward to, May 24 and Cup Match," he said.

"I'm not going into it looking to be best in my age category. I'm going into it to compete for the overall race. That's why I compete. And to me we are entertainers. Our job is to entertain the spectators and to give them recognition just as they give us recognition."

Peter Lever, one of the organisers of January's International Race Weekend, has a third place in the May 24 Derby to his credit.

Asked why the event maintains its enduring appeal, he said: "I'd say because of it's nature of being only for local residents, that's quite unique, and with Cup Match it gets the most support of any event in Bermuda so you always have people trying to win it."

MP Dale Butler, who wrote the authoritative history of May 24 in his book 'Marathon', had this to say: "Victoria Day, Empire Day, commonwealth Day, Bermuda Day, resonate in the minds of Bermudians 365 days of the year as we recall numerous marathon races held on May 24th when we get baptised with our first official swim and picnic then head for the parade that reflects our former Easter Day traditions.

"As we pause and reflect on the origins of the race in 1909, we must remember principal promoters, John C. Bean, Cecil Minors, Stanley Hodgson, Vorhees Place and Richard Tucker (and committee) who kept the tradition running from Somerset to St. George and through the thick smoke of a thousand bikes and a hundred panting horses."

• The Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby on Monday starts at 9.30 a.m. in Somerset and finishes at Bernard Park.