Road-running veteran Calvin Steede will be lining up for the 97th marathon of his career when he competes in the Boston Marathon next Monday.And he won’t be alone, as another 17 Bermuda runners are slated to compete in the world’s most prestigious and historic marathon race.Many of those travelling to Massachusetts for next week’s race gathered at the weekend to share a breakfast and socialise as part of their final preparations for the upcoming event.Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club’s April Vesey, who hosted the runners, has run in the Boston Marathon before.She said: “This will be my third Boston and 11th marathon. I love Boston. It’s my favourite marathon. I love the atmosphere from the start to finish. You really feel like you are part of something big. How often in life do you get to do what you love doing with people clapping and cheering you on!”Vesey is looking to run the 26.2-mile distance in around four hours or just under.Dirk Hasselkuss has been running impressive times in road races of various distances this year and looks to be a strong contender to lead the Island’s running contingent across the finish line in the 115th annual staging of the Boston race.Hasselkuss’ qualifying time has placed him in the first wave of starters which will be headed by the elite competitors.Another athlete starting in the first wave is Andy Starr, who last month set a personal best in the New York Half-Marathon where he ran a time of one hour, 23 minutes and nine seconds.Also listed as a first wave starter is Tatsuhiko Hoshina, who ran 3.19.05 in last year’s race.In the second wave is 51-year-old Steede, who is hoping to chalk up a further two marathons this year to set himself up to run his milestone 100th marathon during the 2012 Bermuda International Race Weekend.The remainder of Bermuda’s runners will set off in wave three. Amongst those athletes will be Giuseppe Guglielmucci, who was ninth in January’s Bermuda International Marathon, where he ran 3.30.45.Last year’s fastest woman from Bermuda was Claire de Ste Criox.She ran 3.41.35, which gave her automatic qualification to compete this year. She is also listed as a starter, as are Laura Keyes, Laura Haynes, Sarah Nichols, Samantha Stephens and JoAnn Lee.Stephen Dunkley has raced in the Boston Marathon a number of times in recent years and is registered again this year. In 2010 he ran 3.59.56. Another runner set to return to Boston is Christopher Smith, who last year ran 4.02.14.Other Bermuda athletes on the starting list are Christopher Brealey, Ian Gilbertson, Martin Hassell Jr, and William Peckett.Last year there were 26,000 competitors in the Boston race. This year’s event takes place on Monday, April 18.n This weekend sees the return of the Ludwig Cann 5K Road Race. The event honours Cann, who died last year and was for many years a familiar face on the Island’s road running scene as a competitor, marshal and volunteer helper.The race is organised by the Swan’s Running Club and will start and finish at Astwood Park, Warwick, on South Road, this coming Sunday.There is an extensive list of prize categories, and also awards for the leading walkers who complete the course. The organisers also have a special prize for the participant who wears ‘the best Luddy outfit’ in memory of Cann.Entries can be made online at www.racedayworld.com or at Sportseller in the Washinton Mall. Entries should be made by 4.30pm this Friday.There is also an opportunity for late entries on the day of the race at Astwood Park, between 7.45am and 8.45am.