If charity groups want to ensure that all their members attend next year's International Race Weekend they must give as much advance notice as possible to race organisers and the airlines, a Minister said yesterday.

Sport Minister David Dyer was responding to a story in yesterday's Royal Gazette .

In that article, Dennis Ahlman, National Director of the Leukaemia Society of America, called on Government to work more closely with the airlines and race organisers.

His call came after he tried to bring approximately 70 additional runners to the marathon competition. The funds raised would have gone to leukaemia research.

In the end he managed to bring 640 people to the race since the airlines did not have enough seats to accommodate the extra ones.

Dr. Dyer said that he spoke to Mr. Ahlman yesterday and said: "If enough lead time is given it should not be a problem for us to liaise with the airlines and endeavour to get adequate seating made available.'' And both Delta Airlines general manager Jackie Zuill and American Airlines general manager Carol DeCouto expressed similar thoughts.

Mrs. Zuill said: "With advance notice from the promoters it's not impossible to do. At least three months advance planning because we have to get both the equipment and crew in place. Delta Airlines would never say no to anything.'' And Mrs. DeCouto said it was difficult for American Airlines to assess the situation because January is low traffic period.

"In reality we would be talking about increased space for one in-bound trip and another day out-bound during the entire month,'' she explained.

"They really want additional lift for one day out of the entire year for their group, but then the flight goes back empty. However when they are ready to leave the plane will come in empty to go out full.

"Our (slow) season in this region corresponds to the peak in the Caribbean so our aircraft is usually tied up there. It is difficult unless charters are set up.'' Mrs. DeCouto said it is not easy to come up with 100 seats on short notice.

Other administrative details she said include getting a flight crew and filing a flight plan.

"We love the business I assure you,'' she added. "If it is there we will take it and certainly make the seats available.'' Dr. David Dyer MARATHON MAR