after they turned up a runner short for their 4x400 metres relay event on Saturday.

The fourth runner for the local track club, college student Jason Robinson, failed to arrive at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

Robinson was originally due to team with Devon Bean, Nakia Pearson and Atiba Tucker in the prep school relay where they stood a good chance of medalling.

Making for concern was the fact that the youngster had called Harriers coach Steve Burgess from Boston to notify him and the team that he would be arriving via train the next morning, but as the noon deadline for the race passed Robinson remained a no-show.

And as over 40,000 rabid fans cheered Bermuda's lane remained empty, while thoughts of what might have been permeated the mind.

"The guys were somewhat down,'' he said. "They were all warmed up, stretched and ready to go.

"It was a gamble (including Robinson on the team), as we could have taken Sharif Taylor, but he couldn't make it because of a lack of finances. If Sharif would have come we would likely have medalled.'' However, it all became a moot point and the five-member contingent -- manager Keena Trott also accompanied the group -- were left in the role of spectators.

Burgess, though, was keen to note that despite their lack of participation solace was found in the opportunity for the youngsters to meet and obtain valuable information from many of the world's top athletes in attendance at what was the 100th anniversary of the Penn Relays.

One of those was 60 metres world record-holder Andre Cason, who is due to be the star attraction during Friday's Heritage Invitational Track and Field meet at National Stadium.

Also included on the list were decathlete Dave Johnson, one half of the Dan and Dave duo most famous for their appearance in a string of Reebok television commercials prior to the 1992 Olympics and promising 400 metres runner Jason Rouser.

There were also opportunities to cheer on fellow countrymen as distance runners Jay Donawa and Terrance Armstrong took part, representing Auburn University and Rider College respectively.

Armstrong shone brighter, clocking a personal best time of eight minutes, 55 seconds in the 3,000 metres steeplechase -- his previous best was 9:11 -- and then returning the next day to produce a 4:06 mile in the distance medley, before rounding out the meet with a 49.6 second third leg in the 4x400 metres relay.

Not yet fully fit after sitting out since December with a stress fracture to his tibia, Donawa had a morale-boosting 5,000 metres run of 14:53 on Thursday, dubbed `Distance Night' where an estimated 20,000 stood in attendance.

Also not to be lost was probably the main aim of the venture, that being to stir interest among college coaches in hopes of garnering scholarships to institutions of high learning for the Bermudian student/athletes.

In that regard, Burgess announced the trip as a definite success.

"The Harriers were disappointed (in not running) but we can take satisfaction in the fact that we are close to closing several college deals for the athletes,'' said Burgess, who noted establishments such as Auburn, St. John's University, Minnesota and Northern Arizona as those showing particular interest.

"The coaches were very impressed and said that they found the Bermuda athletes to be very mature.'' He noted how Donawa's coach at Auburn, 1976 Olympic gold medallist Harvey Glance, had talked at length with Trott.

"He's (Glance) very impressed with what Jay is doing there and feels it could be a good environment for Bermudians.

"It seems as if Jay has opened a door there for us.'' The Harriers are scheduled to return home today, with most expected to compete on Friday in the Heritage Invitational.