Bermuda's International Race Weekend has been given a boost by the decision of Boston-based sports agency Marathon Tours to get involved again after virtually pulling the plug in 2006.

Claims of a lack of co-operation, co-ordination and communication from the organisers that had resulted in two consecutive years of problems left a question mark over whether the agency would seek to ever again associate itself with Bermuda's running extravaganza.

Marathon Tours had previously enjoyed a 27-year association with the Weekend which had resulted in an estimated 9,000 runners being brought in through its organised trips.

A near cancellation of the 2005 event, then a late approach to promote the 2006 races through the agency only three months before it was to take place led to criticism it had become an "embarrassment" and the "forgotten" event of the international scene.

But a revival of the running festival plotted by a new team of race directors, headed by Anthony Raynor with Peter Lever and Mike Charles onboard and support from new BTFA president Clarence Smith, has prompted a rethink from the Boston company.

Whereas Marathon Tours did not promote the event last year following the bust-up with the then organisers ? although around 25 individuals did book through the agency ? it has secured around 60 participants this year.

International 10K race director Lever said he was pleased to have Marathon Tours back onboard.

Company president Thom Gilligan was last night in Dubai and not available for comment. However, one of those who will be arriving on Island through Marathon Tours is NASA employee Andy Gravatt who is being accompanied by eight Bermuda-Bound Ultimate Track Team (BUTT) members.

Gravatt, 43, found out about the Bermuda Marathon 10 years ago while reading Runners' World magazine and put it on his "to do" list but did not get around to signing up until late last year when he decided to step up from 10K races to tackle a full marathon.

His longest race to date is a 10-miler as part of his training for Bermuda, but even so he is confident of making it all the way around the hilly course twice. He has set a tentative goal of four hours, 45 minutes, although that may depend on "how steep McGall's Hill turns out to be" as he has only seen it on the course profile details.

"I have trained on hills before. Hopefully the scenery will carry me through if it is tough," he said.

The BUTT team comprise of seven friends and one of their young children, who will be a mascot. Four will help with drinks and taking photographs, and others will take part in the 10K. Only Gravatt is tackling the marathon.

"So I'll win that one amongst our team," he joked.

One of the couples coming with Gravatt is Mark and Pam Wallace, who will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary while on the Island. Pam will be hoping to finish among the top finishers in her age group.

A total of around 450 competitors are expected to compete in the weekend's races ? KPMG Invitational Mile, the locals' mile races, 10K, half-marathon and marathon.

Race organisers were still awaiting confirmation yesterday that two elite Romanian women would gain clearance to come to Bermuda to replace American Lisa Pratt and Morocco's Kenza Wabi who have had to pull out of the 10K through injury.