The big guns of Bermuda International Race Weekend will not surrender their titles without a fight.

Both Dmitry Maximov and El Afoui Boubker are eyeing third successive honours in the International Half-Marathon and International Marathon respectively and the thought of such rare accomplishments has them vowing to pound Bermuda?s roads even harder this weekend.

?I?m very happy to be here for the fourth time. I?ve come here to win the marathon,? declared self-assured marathon king Boubker.

The 36-year-old Moroccan ? who won in Spain last month and was tenth in a Dutch marathon in October ? is not bothered by the tough competition seeking to wrest his crown and will focus solely on his performance.

?I have not seen the start list but it doesn?t matter, I will run my race. I don?t worry about other athletes.?

Reluctant to predict a winning time, Boubker noted it would depend heavily on the fickle weather.

?If it?s good I think I can run around 2.18 or maybe 2.17,? said the champion.

Maximov, 28, expressed confidence in his training and is highly optimistic of double success in the 10K and Half-Marathon ? a feat he achieved two years ago.

Having had his hopes of repeating that last year spoilt by Kenyan Patrick Nthiwa?s triumph in the 10K, the lithe Russian fancies his chances of another road-running double as Nthiwa is not defending his title.

?But he thinks he has a better chance in the 10K,? said former women?s Marathon champion Yelena Plastinina acting as translator for Maximov.

?He has concentrated more on that because he was beaten last year.?

Maximov is also keen on a Half-Marathon hat-trick and, given his specialised training for the two events, fully anticipates being among the frontrunners in that race also tomorrow.

Another competitor tackling the 10K and Half-Marathon is Boubker?s compatriot El Arbi Khattabi. Though he is now beginning his season, the USA-based Moroccan is pleased with his progress and thinks what he has done will stand him in strong stead.

The 37-year-old boasts a 10K best of 27.58 and 1:1:18 for the Half-Marathon.

Lydek Hudak is one of the main threats to Boubker?s hold on the International Marathon but he is aware his lack of experience here could be his downfall.

?I?m not sure how well I can do because I don?t know everyone who is running here and I don?t know the course. I hope for a good result but I have a feeling it will be tough because it?s not flat (terrain) and it could be windy,? said the Race Weekend newcomer from the Czech Republic.

The 37-year-old has a marathon best of 2:19 and, in favourable conditions, is optimistic of posting 2.25.

Speaking for herself this time, Plastinina explained she opted for the Half-Marathon instead of the longer distance which she has conquered here in record-breaking style twice before because of setbacks in her preparation.

The 41-year-old Ukrainian placed second among female Masters in last year?s New York Marathon but had her training hampered by family problems and hamstring trouble in her right leg.

?I wanted to run the marathon but after New York I didn?t have good training but I think I can still do the half (marathon),? she said.

Apart from these top international athletes, Race Weekend will also have its share of personalities with the likes of Bermuda?s Ludwig Cann, 78, again showing his mettle in the 10K and International Marathon.

American Sid Howard, 65, who holds age-group world records on the track, will also be in the fray in the 10K while his countryman Joe Fernandez, 76, will be enjoying his 15th Race Weekend.

Thomas Gerber of Maryland will be the youngest competitor in the Marathon at age 17.