Runners may have have to watch their step at this weekend's National Track and Field Championships.

The track at National Stadium is scheduled to undergo renovations this summer but until then Bermuda Track and Field Association officials will try and work around trouble spots when competition begins at 4.15 p.m. tomorrow.

More than 160 athletes are entered in what for most will be the biggest event of the year.

Meet director Bob Oliver said yesterday there were several "problem areas'' on the track but didn't expect them to interfere with the two days of competition. "I'm going to really study the track tonight (Thursday),'' he said.

Water seepage has caused the rubberised surface to bubble and small holes have been dug in areas to allow exploration of the damage. Oliver said the primary concern was in lane five in the first bend, which would only impact the running of the 400 metres.

Tomorrow also marks the Gibbons Ironkids Triathlon at Clearwater Beach. The bulk of the track and field entries are youngsters but Oliver said the conflict was unintentional and unavoidable when the BTFA were forced to move their championships a month ahead.

Several impressive youths will be in action but much of the attention will be on a couple of important open events for runners aiming to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean championships later this month.

The 100 metres will see Xavier James and Gregory Simons try and earn a trip to Puerto Rico, while in the 800 metres, Quenell Robinson, Damian Simmons and Sheldon Thompson battle it out in what is shaping up as the feature event.

Tracy Wright, second to Kavin Smith in the recent Marathon Derby, will try to qualify in the 10,000 metres.

Oliver, a BTFA vice president, said no overseas runners would be competing.

"We'd rather send our athletes out with our money than pay to have athletes come in,'' he said.

The championships open with a bang: Javelin, high jump, long jump and 800 metres are all scheduled to start after the opening ceremonies. The meet continues at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

But also on Sunday, one of the biggest 10K road races on the calender takes place.

The Pure Water/Tropicana 10K begins at 9.30 a.m. on Montpelier Road. Runners will follow a course along Middle Road to Flatts, back along North Shore to Commissioners Hill and along Palmetto Road to Frog Lane, before finishing at Police Field, Prospect.

The male and female winners will each receive a $250 travel voucher, with a bonus of $500 up for grabs should a Bermudian break the Island 10K record (31:24 for men, 35:24 for women). Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers in each age group and to the first male and female visitors.