OVER 150 runners aged from seven years old to 59 will pull on their running shoes over the next two weekends when they attempt to qualify for January's International Race Weekend's Front Street Mile ? one of the most popular races on the Bermuda athletics calendar.

The trials will start on Sunday at the National Sports Centre at 1:00 p.m. and the second day will be on Saturday, December 11.

And tomorrow the BTFA's National Cross Country Championships will be staged at Astwood Park starting at 9:00 a.m.

The Front Street Mile race director, Wayne Raynor, said yesterday that a number of defending champions are expected to come out for the trials including one of Bermuda's top junior runners, Trey Simons, who won the Under-12 boys event last year and goes by the nickname of "Animal' for the tough pace he sets.

"Trey is 12 years old now so this will be his last year in the Under-12 division," said Raynor.

Ashley Couper, who won the the Open women's event last year, is expected to return to Bermuda for Christmas and Raynor is confident she will be on the start line in January.

Sheldon Thompson, who until last year's race, had six runners-up finishes, has entered the trials along with rival Simon Turner. Last year after he finally won, Thompson vowed never to run in the race again after taking issue with officials of the BTFA but seemingly he has changed his mind.

Last year's Under-12 girls winner Ashley Berry will be trying to defend her title.

Raynor said there are a number of good runners to watch out for in the trials ? young Winton Woodley who is only 10 years old, Kyle Godfrey, 11, while Deanne Lightbourn will be running in the Under-18 division even though she is only 14 years old.

"Mark Albouy is also in the trials and he is fairly strong," said Raynor of the 52 year old runner.

In tomorrow's National Cross Country Championships, there will be eight age groups ? Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-17, Under-20, 20-39, 40-49 and 50 and above.

Race director Cal Simons said late registration can be done at the BTFA's offices this afternoon and runners can also pick up their numbers. "We have a good course at Astwood Park and it is great for spectators because they can watch any part of the course. The terrain varies and everyone should enjoy it," said Simons.

Simons said: "Trey Simons, Winston Woodley, Kerri Furbert and Taylor Bean will square off while in the Under-14 group look for Alexis Bean and Ashley Berry to see who will be the BTFA's Running Series Champion as they are both tied on points.

"In the Under-14 boys Matthew Spring has been really improving and he will be pressed by Flyers star Tyree Armstrong."

In the Under-17 group Brian Morris and Taijaun Talbot will battle it out as they are tied on points. Top Bermuda runner Jay Donawa should be favoured to retain his Championship title.

The Under-12 kids will run 1.7 miles; the Under-14 kids will run 2-5 miles while the Under-17 runners will have a course of 3.3 miles which will be the same course that the Under-20 women runners will use. The Under-20 males will run a five mile course as will the 20-39 females while the 20-39 males will take on a 7.5 mile course. The 40-49 males will run a five mile course while the 50 and over runners will run a 3.3 mile course.

Meanwhile Pam Shailer, the Race Secretary for International Race Weekend, said this week that "plans are going well for the 2005 event to be held from January 14-16.

"In 2005 we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bermuda International 10K and Marathon," she said adding that much thanks for the 2005 events must go to sponsors David Barber and the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

Barber came in at the 11th hour earlier this year when it looked all but certain that Race Weekend would be called off because of the lack of funds.

The three-day weekend of running and walking features the Front Street Invitational Mile Races, the Bermuda International 10K and 10K Charity Walk, the Bermuda International Marathon and Half Marathon. The Charity Walk will once again benefit the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

Shailer said the event last January was "a record year of entries with 890 overseas entries and 688 Bermuda resident entries". Race Weekend entry forms are available at the local sport stores ? Sportseller, The Pro Shop, Winners Edge, Sports R Us, International Sport Shop and Sports Locker. Entry forms are also available at the local gyms. Entry forms can be downloaded from the BTFA website at www.bermudatracknfield.com