TWO records in the half-marathon last Sunday suggests that International Race Weekend, while lacking in quantity, still remains a quality event.

As road running has declined in popularity worldwide - and certainly here in Bermuda interest has fallen sharply in recent years for a number of reasons, most of which have been well documented in these pages - so January's showpiece has suffered.

But, despite the drop in numbers, there were some encouraging signs over the weekend.

Russian Dmitry Maximov and Kenyan Mary Ptikany's blistering runs in the 13.1 mile race, traditionally the least recognised of the four events, will have further enhanced the racing festival's reputation as one of genuine international class.

Under appalling weather conditions, their respective times of 1:05.27 and 1:15.21 were pretty impressive. Yet what the half-marathon, as well as the marathon, 10K and elite mile, desperately lacked was quality in depth.

And Bermuda Track and Field Association's next challenge must be to bolster the international field in order that competition doesn't get diluted into predictable two- and three-horse races as has been the case so often in the recent past.

If finishing times are to continue to fall, then rivalry at the front of the pack needs to be increased.

Interestingly enough, almost all of the elite runners who fly to Bermuda express a desire to return. They genuinely appear to enjoy not only the races but the hospitality and the friendliness on which the weekend has been built.

Yet the majority can, and will, only come back - bringing with them athletes of similar talent - if the price is right.

And therein lies the BTFA's problem.

Until major sponsors are brought back on board, such as the airlines and running shoe companies who backed Race Weekend throughout the 1980s, then there's little chance that Bermuda can again attract the depth that was once so prevalent.

It would appear that efforts to do that in recent years have not been as concerted as they could have been.

And there's no doubt the way in which the Bank of Butterfield were dismissed as principle sponsors of the Mile has served to discourage other local businesses.

The governing body's next target must be to restore confidence within the corporate sector.

International Race Weekend remains very much a jewel in the Island's sporting crown.

The only way forward will be through new ideas from new people and increased financial backing.

And, as mentioned in last week's column, greater consideration for the local runners who play such a huge role in the event's success, would certainly help the cause.

The early entry deadline coupled with the inflated late entry fee only serves to drive away potential competitors, particularly those who want to compete in more than one event.

At the very least, the BTFA could offer fee reductions for those intending to run on both the Saturday and Sunday.

- ADRIAN ROBSON