Despite the current economic crisis, next week's International Race Weekend has attracted more overseas competitors than last year, with runners coming from as far afield as Burundi to take part.

As of last Monday, 353 overseas runners had signed up to take part in the event, compared to the 298 who took part last year. And registration for the race didn't officially close until last night, meaning that the number is likely to be even higher.

So far 614 runners – locals included – have registered for the weekend with Saturday's 10K race drawing 158 competitors. Sunday's Butterfield Bank International Half-Marathon has 174 entrants so far, while 43 will go on to complete the full marathon.

The numbers represent a significant achievement for the organisers, who at one point might have been wondering how badly the race would be hit by the credit crunch that has gripped the globe.

"I thought in the current economic climate that we would be happy to equal last year's numbers, but to have exceeded that, I'm thrilled," said Pam Shailer, the Race Secretary.

"The fact that we have brought in more overseas runners says a lot for the success of our marketing I think, and I'm very optimistic for the event.

"If you had asked me in October or November I would have said that getting similar numbers would be a good achievement, to have a slight increase is even better.

"We are very pleased to see the increase in the overseas entries particularly during these tough economic times. Our 2008 overseas marketing promotions in conjunction with the Bermuda Department of Tourism and Marathon Tours and Travel, our official tour provider, has helped us to increase the overseas entries.

"And the Bermuda Triangle Challenge has grown massively from the first one last year when we had 50 competitors. Next weekend we'll have more than 200 involved."

The Triangle competition requires runners to compete on all three days of the festival.

The Challenge Mile will be the first event in this year's Race Weekend, beginning on Front Street at 6.30 p.m. on Friday night, and for local runner Chris Estanwick it will be the first of two miles that he runs that night.

Estanwick is also competing in the KPMG Invitational Elite Mile but he will start the night alongside the other 200-plus challenge contestants.

Entries as of January 5, 2009

10K Walk – 29

10K Run – 158

Bermuda Triangle Full Challenge – 55

Bermuda Triangle Half Challenge – 155

Half Marathon – 174

Marathon – 43

Total entries up to January 5 – 614

Overseas entries

USA and Canada – 339

UK – 7

Burundi – 5

Germany – 2

Total – 353

n 2008 overseas entries – 298

2008 Bermuda entries – 702