The annual Fairmont to Fairmont road race will take place for the 32nd time this weekend as the New Year begins with a bang for Bermuda's athletes.

The event includes adult and junior courses, with the adult run spanning the 7.2 miles between The Fairmont Hamilton Princess and The Fairmont Southampton, and a Juniors 3K race that starts at the Heron Bay Market Place and ends at The Fairmont Southampton.

"Fairmont to Fairmont is such a great way to kick off the New Year," said Willow Stream Spa Director Paul Hawco.

"This is my fourth year running the race and, while I love all the celebrating and good cheer of the holidays, this race gets me re-focused on fitness."

April Vesey, Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club's (MAAC's) co-race director of the Fairmont to Fairmont race, along with Chris Page, said: "This year we expect to see more new runners involved in this year's race.

"Quite a few Argus 400 Challenge participants have taken part in recent MAAC and Swan's Running Club events and for those who are targeting the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby, Fairmont to Fairmont is a great training run."

Fairmont to Fairmont is organised by MAAC and sanctioned by the Bermuda Track and Field Association. First run in 1978 as the Princess to Princess, the race was MAAC's first organised event.

The race is now named Fairmont to Fairmont and is the longest-running sponsored road race event in Bermuda.

Last year's Fairmont to Fairmont attracted more than 250 participants.

This year, MAAC anticipates that they will receive more than 300 race entrants.

The Friends of Hope Academy, the charitable organisation that benefits the special-needs students of the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, will receive $5 from every race entry.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Bermuda will match the donation dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total charitable donation to $10 per entry.

The deadline for entry is 4 p.m. on Friday, January 2, with late registration available at the race number pick-up location at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess on Saturday, January 3 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Late entries will not be accepted on race day. There will be a free ferry service for the runners from The Fairmont Southampton to The Fairmont Hamilton Princess after the race.

All local runners must be registered with the Bermuda Track and Field Association before race day.