An expected 400 to 500 runners will be pounding the roads this weekend as the KPMG-sponsored Bermuda International Race Weekend returns promising top level competition with one, possibly two, national champions amongst the elite overseas athletes.

Spectators who line Front Street this Friday evening can expect a showpiece curtain-raiser as a collection of sub-four minute milers attempt to run the first sub-four time in Bermuda's history. Will 2007 be the year?

And the fastest men, women and youngsters on the Island will hold their own challenge races to decide who is the best in Bermuda.

On Saturday the action again switches to the National Stadium where the 10km road race starts and finishes. In the thick of the action will be current US 10,000m champion Jorge Torres>

Then, on Sunday morning marathon runners and half-marathoners line up together for a mass start on Front Street as they head out on a 13.1-mile loop (twice for the marathoners) to decide this year's crownsB>

Russian marathoner Sarmasova Vinera, who won a marathon in Moscow last year —- and whose status as possible Russian marathon champion is being clarified this week — will be one of those vying for victory.

Where is the action, who should you watch for, and what do should you be doing if you intend to run this year or are inspired to take up running after watching the action from the sidelines?

Read our special International Race Weekend supplement for all the answers and mo