Just three weeks short of his 49th birthday, Masterworks' Tom Butterfield has been "persuaded'' to run yet another marathon -- this time in New York where he will join 29,000 other toughies in the 26-mile trek.

And, the organization's chairman who has run countless marathons -- and has even ridden his bicycle from one end of Britain to the other to raise money to repatriate Bermuda-themed pictures back to the Island, will once again be running for charity.

"I had thought I was through with marathons,'' he said after completing another punishing training session last week: "But someone decided -- not me -- that I should do another one. I suppose it's quite appropriate as it takes place in November, so I'm calling it the Scorpio Run, as that's the month of my birthday.'' This time it was the American Masterworks Foundation, the overseas arm which supports the Bermuda organisation, who wanted to raise funds.

"Three years ago they gave scholarships to two Bermuda students to study abroad and they're hoping we'll raise enough money to do it again. Some of our Board members are busy raising funds right now, so everyone -- including me -- is getting geared up!'' Joking that if he finishes in under five hours "everyone will know I've taken the subway,'' Mr. Butterfield revealed that he started training in July.

"That's hard in the heat and humidity but it's a little easier now. We are also hoping that locals will also sponsor me so that we can award more scholarships.'' Anyone who would like to sponsor Mr. Butterfield in his latest fund-raising bid is asked to contact Masterworks at 295-5580.

Tom Butterfield