Any of this weekend's International 10K athletes who have set themselves a goal of 39 to 40 minutes might want to take a look over their shoulder for a slightly built runner, wearing a red and white cycling cap with the peak turned up.

If they see him, then they can say they ran with a reigning US and World 800 metres champion - because that is exactly the crown held by evergreen American, 62-year-old Sid Howard.

While Sid will not be in contention with the much younger, elite runners battling for overall victory, the New Jersey resident, who considers Bermuda his second home, still has the same competitive spirit and determination of those over half his age.

And he has a history in the sport that few of them will likely match.

Howard's infectious personality has brought him many friends in Bermuda over the years but he credits the warm reception from the Bermuda people he and his late wife, Sandra, received back in 1977 when they visited the Island on holiday for his many subsequent trips.

He has returned to Bermuda every year since '77, competing in both Race Weekend and other top local events, with the exception of 1997 when his wife of 39 years passed away.

One of his six children, daughter Cynthia, who was brought to the Island in 1978 on holiday later married a Bermudian and has lived here since 1981.

Howard also proudly boasts 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

With a character as colourful as his leather stars and stripes jacket and matching cap, the president of his own family messenger service in New York for the past 32 years, located just two blocks from the ill-fated World Trade Center, smiles at the suggestion his daughter moving to Bermuda gave him somewhere to stay on his annual visits.

"It wasn't planned like that", he says, adding after a slight pause, "But it came in mighty convenient."

It would be impossible to credit all of his achievements in a sport for which he is so clearly passionate but at the forefront stands his world and US records in the 800 metres on the track.

"I set the 800 world indoor record in 1999 when I turned 60 in New York when I ran 2.14.75, and the same year in Gateshead, England, I set the outdoor record of 2.12.71," he recalls.

So highly regarded in the US for his performances in 2001, he was voted "Runner of the Year" by the New York Road Runners Club and "Track Runner of the Year" by the USTAF, the first time a runner has received both awards in the same year.

Dogged by a hamstring injury last year, he still won the silver medal at the Masters World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, but vows to return with a vengeance this year.

"I like to use Race Weekend to prepare me for the season, I have the National Championships in March in Boston, which will be my focus," he adds.

As busy he is competing in the US, Howard also has an impressive record of runs in Bermuda.

"Apart from 1997, I have run every May 24 (Derby) since 1981 without a number," he says, adding with a broad smile: "Actually I got a number one year but it caused so many problems, I said never again."

The Princess to Princess road race is also a favourite. "I have run about 10 Princess races, if it is the week before the Race Weekend I run," he said.

Some of his fondest memories, however, are of the early '80s when he recalls running with the likes of Ray Swan, Jeff Payne, Gary Wilkinson and Jim Butterfield.

"Most of those guys are not running any more but they have remained great friends. I remember running the MAAC run around the Botanical Gardens in 1980 and winning. Jim Butterfield gave me a nice map of Bermuda, and we have remained friends ever since," he said.

Racing on Saturday is a priority to Howard, but giving back is just as important. "Every year I help out on Front Street with the mile races and on Thursday and Friday I always help handing out numbers," he said.

His enthusiasm to run, his desire to win, his obvious enjoyment of life do not appear to wane, nor his love of Bermuda and his intention to return for as long as he can.

"Bermuda is a beautiful and interesting island, but I just love the people," he says.

So watch out for race number 130, and the trademark cycling cap, because you will be seeing a class act in action.