Race Weekend next month -- despite having been viciously assaulted after his victory last January.

Mulinga was so badly beaten in the incident outside a Front Street nightclub that he needed several days in King Edward VII Hospital to recover.

But the Zambian has since told race committee secretary Pam Shailer that the ugly incident had not put him off returning.

"We were very concerned and upset about what happened, but Mulinga said it did not bother him at all and he was looking forward to coming back to Bermuda,'' said Ms Shailer.

"He said he understood that things like this happen everywhere in the world.'' A case was due to be heard in court in November when Sean Reginald Tucker faced charges of grievous bodily harm. But it was adjourned when Tucker failed to show and a warrant issued for his arrest.

A year ago, US-based Mulinga romped to victory in a time of 30 minutes, 15 seconds, in blustery conditions, and as reigning champion he is automatically invited to return. Whether he will accept is yet to be confirmed.

Bermuda's biggest road-racing event will open on Friday, January 15, with the Invitational Mile, held on Front Street, starting at 7.30 p.m.

A $10,000 bonus is up for grabs to any competitor to run under four minutes -- a feat never before achieved on the Island -- and the race has traditionally attracted high-calibre overseas athletes.

The 10K starts at 10.00 the following morning on the usual loop course from National Stadium down to Flatts on Middle Road and back via North Shore. The Sunday will see the half-marathon and marathon, both starting at 9.00 a.m..

England's Paul Freary has a remarkable record in the shorter event, having won it three years in succession.

Last January, more than 1,400 runners took part in the three distance events and Ms Shailer said she was hoping for a similar turnout.

Already, 244 entries have been submitted, including some from Germany, France, England and Canada, and around 50 elite runners have inquired to race organisers, though which of them will compete is unlikely to be confirmed before Christmas.

US-based charities like the Leukaemia Society, the Arthritis Foundation, the American Diabetes Association and the Grant a Wish Foundation have confirmed they will be sending groups of runners -- a huge boost to tourism as well as to the event itself.

Ms Shailer added: "Race Weekend brings in not only the runners but their families as well. Last January, tourism figures showed the number of visitors was up 1,800 that week.'' This year, the race has been advertised on the Internet for the first time, with the web site www.ontherun.bm featuring information about the races and route maps, bringing in many extra inquiries.

Phil Guishard, chairman of the event's organising committee, said Race Weekend had become one of the top events on the Island's sporting calendar.

"There is always a tendency to get a lot of entries at the last minute, so we'll have a better idea of how many runners we will have by the end of the week,'' he said.

Race organisers have offered entrants a financial incentive to book early, as fees increase for any entries post-marked later than tomorrow.

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