inaugural Bermuda National Triathlon Championships on Sunday.

Competitors will not only be vying for the title of national champion, but also for various age group championships from 20 years to 50 years and over.

Unlike the popular triathlon held during autumn, this event is over an internationally-sanctioned short course with distances of 1,500 metres for swimming, 40 kilometres for cycling and 10 kilometres for running. This adds up to an additional 10 miles on the cycle and an approximate increase of a third of a mile on the run.

The event gets under way at 9.30 a.m. and promises much excitement since spectators will be able to watch the action from the ideally-suited eight-lap loop bicycle course and two-lap run course.

Favourite for overall men's title will be Greg Hopkins, winner of the Bermuda Triathlon for the past four years and current triathlon record-holder. Hopkins is the only Bermuda-based triathlete to have gone these distances under two hours and has won his age group on both the US and Canadian triathlon circuits.

Hopkins' stiffest challenge will come from Neil de Ste. Croix and Stephen Doyling, who appears to be peaking at the perfect time.

De Ste. Croix is fresh from his victory in the Bank of Butterfield Duathlon championships where he posted a time of 1:24:36 and an impressive run in the Fidelity Couples Race.

Doyling has established some blistering times in recent time trials and is a much improved swimmer. He was second in the Duathlon when he crossed the finish line in 1:26:32.

The battle shaping up between Hopkins, Doyling and de Ste. Croix should be one of the highlights of the Bermuda triathlon schedule.

In the women's event, Lynn Kynoch has emerged as a strong favourite for overall honours after shattering the Duathlon record by four minutes when she completed the event in 1:33:44.

With four-time triathlon winner Mary Hopkins not competing, Kynoch will be tough to beat. She has been in outstanding form on the bike this year and a considerable force among local runners.

Kynoch should face a strong challenge from Julia Hawley, who is finding her form again after skipping most events in 1992 because she was pregnant.

Hawley produced an impressive top 15 finish in a triathlon in New York last month and she will be eager to do well after a flat tyre forced her out of the Duathlon.

Jane Christie, third in last year's Bermuda Triathlon and first local finisher at the world championships in 1992, may also give her a strong challenge.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group, including the awards for Bermuda age group champions.

Prior to the event will be the `Just for Fun' Triathlon, consisting of a 200 metres swim, three-mile cycle and half-mile run for beginners, novices and other triathletes.

Entry forms for both events are available at Sportseller and Winner's Edge in Hamilton. Entry fees are $12 for the national championships and $6 for the `Just for Fun' event.

Deadlines are tomorrow at 4 p.m. for the national championships and at noon for the `Just for Fun'. Late entries are permitted for the `Just for Fun' only.

HITTING HIS PEAK -- While the favourite for the overall men's title in the first-ever Bermuda National Triathlon Championships will undoubtedly be Greg Hopkins, he will be tested in every way by the likes of Stephen Doyling, above, and Neil de Ste. Croix. Doyling appears to be in peak physical condition and is the author of blistering times during recent time trials. He was also second in the Bank of Butterfield Duathlon championships.