IT already has a reputation as one of Bermuda's top road races.

And this Sunday's Lindo's to Lindo's 10K is shaping up to be a giant event that may secure it the position as the next biggest Bermuda road participation event after the May 24 Half Marathon. As of yesterday 1,209 entrants were registered to take part, 319 of those in the 10K and the others in the walking event that is held in conjunction.

It is expected that a further 100 or more may make late entries tomorrow, pushing the event to a new record.

While some of the faster runners on the island can duck and dive out of the smaller events, the Lindo's race is not one that can be so lightly disregarded. It is seen as a benchmark and carries a lot of prestige for the winner ¿ especially as an early indicator of form as thoughts turn towards May.

Lamont and Larry Marshall Jr. have taken the spoils during the past two years. Larry coming in ahead of his brother in 2006 and the positions reversed last year in humid condition as Lamont led home an unusual top four that consisted of two sets of brothers, himself and Larry, followed by Evan and Riaan Nuade.

Lamont Marshall won in 32 minutes 55 seconds last year, slightly down on his brother's winning mark of the previous year. The fastest woman was Dawn Richardson, who overcame the effects of a cold to run 40.25.

It is expected that the formidable running couple of Chris and Ashley Estwanik will be to the fore in the road race, with last year's women's runner-up Victoria Fiddick and Dee McMullin also signed up.

This year's race features a slightly altered start line ¿ the race will now begin directly in front of the Lindo's supermarket on Middle Road, Warwick, rather than further up the road.

Explaining this change Peter Dunne, one of the race directors, said it was to ease the congestion that occurred when the start line was back up the road slightly and would cause slower runners to be in front of the faster runners when the starting gun went off.

To make up for the loss of distance at the start of the race, the finish line has also been shifted. Runners will now run to the very end of Watlington Road and, rather than turn into the entrance to the Devonshire Lindo's, turn left onto Brighton Hill and then into the upper car park area where the finish line will be.

Dunne said: "We have juggled the logistics slightly. The race used to be 'just-before Lindo's-to-Lindo's,' now it is (truly) Lindo's-to-Lindo's.

Runners will once again find the second half of the 6.2 miles harder than the first with both Collectors Hill and Chaingate Hill to climb in the final four kilometres.

"It is not a gazelle's course. There is a lot of strength needed in it," said Dunne.

The increasing popularity of the event can be seen in the number of finishers. In the road race there were 154 in 2006, of which an impressive 17 managed to break 40 minutes. Last year the race field increased significantly with 232 finishers, however the less favourable conditions limited the number of sub-40 times to the top 11 runners.

The walking event, which covers four miles, is shaping up to attract around 1,000 entrants ¿ mostly in the fun walk category, but also a fair number in the competitive race walk.

Dunne is asking motorists to be aware of the large number of people who will be on the road during the event, and to show some patience.

Of the increasing popularity of the Lindo's race, Dunne said: "Lindo's is an awesome sponsor, with all the advertising and the other things that go along with that. It is great to have such a committed sponsor.

"We also have a lot of great volunteers and the Diabetes Resource Centre appreciates the event."

Late entries can be made during number pick-up this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jack King building in the Botanical Gardens.

The 10K race will start at 9 a.m. on Sunday, with the walkers setting off five minutes later.