Beach in the Coldwell Banker Senior Duathlon Championships.

Senior competitors, aged 18 and over, will get underway at 10.15 a.m. over a challenging 5k run, 30k bike and 5k run. In addition to competing for overall male and female honours, competitors will be vying for age group medal positions.

The men's field should see a three-man race for overall honours between Tyler Butterfield, Jonathan Herring and Neil de ste Croix. Butterfield, although not in peak condition, is still a threat with Jonathan Herring his primary challenge.

Herring's cycling ability is unmatched and his running has steadily improved over the past two years. De ste Croix, an excellent overall athlete, has shown good early season form. Veteran Andrew Doble and newcomer Ted Temple should have enough to win their corresponding age group awards.

On the women's side, Melanie Claude is coming off back-to-back National Duathlon victories in 1998 and '99. With her strong cycling ability and coming off a stellar 1999 cycling season, she should take the title for a three-peat, though she will have close challenges from Julia Hawley, Laurie Orchard and Karen Smith.

Hawley finished a close second last year but has shown improvements in cycling over the past year, including competing at the World B Cycling Championships.

Top triathletes Orchard and Smith will finish in the top five.

In the women's age groups, Georgia Belboda in the 20-29 division, Lea Butterfield (30-39) and Kim Mason (40-49) should win their respective age group championships.

In addition to the championship races, there will be a team event consisting of one runner and one cyclist.

Entry forms are available at Sports R Us, Sportseller and Winners Edge with the entry deadline being Friday at 4.45 p.m.