Women will be out in full force on Sunday morning to support the annual PartnerRe Women's 5K Run and Walk in the Botanical Gardens.

Now in its fifth year, the female-only race has been switched from April to October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, in keeping with its tradition of raising funds for women-related health and social causes, all proceeds will go towards purchasing a mammography unit for the Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association's new Resource Centre.

"PartnerRe is very pleased that this event is celebrating its fifth year," said PartnerRe's Head of Corporate Communications Celia Powell.

"It was originally conceived by race director Rosemary Jones of Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club (MAAC) to give additional focus and support to female-related issues. Over the years it has grown in popularity and we are proud to continue sponsoring such a high-profile event for women.

"We moved the race from April to October this year to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This helps increase awareness of the event, and gives additional support to the charity we chose this year - The Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association and their breast cancer awareness drive," she noted.

At least 200 women, including defending champion Anna Eatherley, are expected to participate in the only all-female event on Bermuda's race calendar.

Sanctioned by the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) and organised by MAAC, the 5K for adult women starts at 9.15 a.m. while the girls' 3.2K and the 5K walk begin at 9 a.m.

Prizes will be offered in various categories, including walkers, under-16 girls, family teams and individual women. For the first time, a corporate female team category has been introduced. There will also be special draw prizes for all participants.

President of the TB, Cancer & Health Association Judy Siddle Simons lauded PartnersRe's contribution to the new Cancer Resource Centre which will provide in-depth educational materials, on-line information, conferencing with cancer centres abroad, counselling for patients and families, and a meeting place for support groups. Completion of the building is slated for June 2003.

"One of our initiatives is to purchase a Senographe DMR+ mammography unit for our new centre. This unit is more sophisticated than our current units and gives better quality films and increased comfort to women. We are extremely grateful to PartnerRe for dedicating the funds from this race to the new centre and especially in helping us purchase this new mammography unit," she said.

Advance registration for numbers and T-shirt pick-ups take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the Plaza of the Waterfront Properties, Pitts Bay Road, outside PartnerRe's headquarters.

Entry forms are available on-line at www.bermuda.bm/partnerre5k and at Sportseller, New Winner's Edge, The Pro Shop and Sports R Us. Entry fees are $15 for MAAC members, $20 for non-members, $5 for juniors and $30 for late entries. Deadline for entries is on Friday at 4.30 p.m.

More information can be obtained from Rosemary Jones on 292-6868, 237-4696 or roseibl.bm.