Rose-Anna Hoey has backed Bermuda’s half-marathon runners to produce podium performances in both the individual and team events at next month’s NatWest Island Games.The May 24 female winner Hoey will be joined by Deon Breary and Victoria Fiddick in the women’s team, while Stephen Allen, Chris Harris, and Nick Strong are the men’s team trio.Hoey, 31, said she hoped to make Bermuda, and her team-mates, proud when she competed in the women’s half-marathon on Friday, July 19.“Naturally I’m very excited and honoured to be part of the Bermuda Island Games team. I’m enjoying training with my team-mates Ashley (5,000 metres and 10,000 metres), Deon and Victoria and I hope we all do well,” Hoey said.“It’s been difficult for us all to get back out training after a busy running season and May 24.“The half-marathon event is not only an individual event, but a team event, and it I feel it's very important for me to perform well as part of our team.“This race may pose a new challenge for me. It's not in fact about finishing time or pace, but about finishing place and gaining points for the team as a whole, and therefore will likely be a more strategic race.“As always I will do my best and hope I can do Bermuda and my team-mates proud.”Points will be allocated for each runner’s position with all points totalled towards a team score.Home advantage could be key for the local runners, said Hoey, particular in terms of coping with the heat and humidity at this time of year.“Victoria and I ran the proposed course together on Sunday morning,” Hoey added. “On the plus side it appears to be flatter than the Bermuda Day Marathon. However, the race itself will take place at 6pm.“Deon, Victoria and myself, have spoken about our hometown advantage.“Many runners underestimate the effects that heat and humidity have on the body and subsequent impact on running pace, and we are hoping that a steady solid approach to the race rather than an aggressive one, will serve us well.“We all have been trying to do as many workouts together at the hottest and most humid times of the day in order to help our bodies' adapt. As a ladies team, we are certainly hoping that a team podium place, and possibly individual places are on the cards.“We would love to see Bermudians out there cheering us on all the way and would encourage all to come out and give us a big shout, have fun, play some music at the roadside and give us some hometown support.”The Island Games runs from July 13 to 19.