Junior runners are expected to be out in force again this weekend for the fifth and final race in the KPMG Junior Running Series.

This Saturday, the challengers will meet at the National Sports Centre to compete on the track over 1,500 or 3,000 metres, depending upon age.

These final races, which are being run in association with the Pacers Track Meet, will determine who will take home Series honours and race coordinator Charlie Duffy believes there may be some surprises.

"While `veteran' runners Flora Duffy and Taijuan Talbot continue to dominate their respective categories, the overall Series results in the younger age groups are still in the balance," he said. "In the eight to ten boys, Winton Woodley is in a position very few runners have ever been - ahead of Trey Simons.

"But he'll need to beat him on Saturday to claim the Series Championship - a tall order based upon Simons' recent form."

Nahki Wells, meanwhile, has the 11-12 boys division championship sewn up with three wins and a second so far with Andrew Lake looking good for second.

"Chelsea Lines leads the younger girls age division but could be caught by either Shannon Cann or Rebecca Heyliger on Saturday after the effect of counting only the best four finishes is able to be calculated," Duffy said. "A similar situation exists in the 11-12 girls age division where Ashley Berry currently leads Danlia Martin by five points.

"If Martin beats Berry on Saturday, she'll move ahead overall and clinch the Series Championship. In summary there's still a lot to play for and it should be an exciting afternoon on the track."

There is no pre-registration for this event, so runners are strongly encouraged to be at the Centre for the start of the 1 p.m. on-field registration process. Those registering for Pacer Track events will not be required to pay to enter the Series' races. However, there will be a $3 entry fee for those entering just the KPMG Series event.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each of the six KPMG events as well as the 13 additional Pacers Track events. Race organiser for the meet is Cal Simons.

For more information call Charlie Duffy 236-3156 (evenings) or Madeline DeSilva 236-6800.