The uncertainty surrounding whether this year?s Bermuda International Race Weekend would be held has had an adverse effect on entries.

After enjoying a ?bumper? number of entries in 2004, the annual athletics series has seen a fall-off in interest this year which has been attributed to less and late promotion of the event.

?The numbers (of entries) are comparable to 2003...We haven?t been to the expos that we usually go to and we were late with promotion and advertising because we were not sure if Race Weekend was going to go on,? explained chairperson of the Bermuda International Race Weekend Committee Judy Simmons yesterday.

?We did some promotion after September (when it was confirmed Race Weekend would proceed) but the earlier promotion that we do from April was not done.?

Speaking at a Press conference to announce the elite athletes scheduled to compete in the three-day meet next weekend, she said that, thus far, the 137 persons had registered for the International 10K; 273 for the International Half Marathon and 214 for the International Marathon.

Race Weekend, which kicks off with the popular Front Street Mile races next Friday night and also includes a 10K Charity Walk, is celebrating it?s 30th anniversary this year.

However, last September 9 the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) declared they were cancelling the 2005 edition of the event because of financial difficulties. A few days later, the races were ?on again? thanks to donations of $80,000 from Government and $50,000 from philanthropist David Barber.

Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown stressed it was crucial that Race Weekend be provided with the financial necessity to flourish as it is crucial to the Island?s tourism sector in its shoulder season with many foreign competitors patronising local hotels, shops and restaurants.