The annual Fidelity Couples race, one of the last of the season and one of the most popular, is set for this Sunday with a new format.

While in the past, men have run a five mile course and women a five kilometre route -- victory going to the team with the best combined time -- this Sunday's race will offer runners the option of swapping roles. Men will be able to run the 5K providing their female partner completes the five miles.

As usual organisers have seeded a number of athletes who are ineligible to team up unless they run in the married or family categories.

In the open event one of the top teams will be the junior pairing of Mark Morrison and Flora Duffy.

The fast-improving Morrison romped to a second place finish behind Kavin Smith in last Sunday's Athletic Club 5K, beating a number of top runners including Brett Forgesson, Tracy Wright and Jamal Hart, all of them seeded runners this weekend. Duffy, meanwhile, is considered the top female in her age group on both the roads and in triathlon.

May 24 champion Smith will be off the Island this weekend, competing in the half marathon at the CAC championships in Barbados.

But Anna Eatherley, who has dominated women's races this season, teams up with husband Brett Forgesson in the married category.

The race starts from Pembroke Hall on East Broadway at 9.00 on Sunday morning.

Entry forms are available from the usual sports outlets and need to be returned by 4.45 p.m. on Friday.