Jay Donawa will secure his eighth consecutive national cross country title if he wins tomorrow in a six-mile race around the Botanical Gardens.

Having already won the Onion Cross Country Series this year, with four wins from four appearances, Donawa looks a shoo-in to retain his national championship title as well.

However, in last year's race he was challenged in the early stages by Lamont Marshall and organisers are hoping that one of the Marshall brothers may show up to add to the competition.

Whatever happens in the senior men's open race, there are a number of mouth-watering battles taking place in the junior races, which will be run over distances of two and three miles.

A new course has been devised around the Gardens that is said to present better footing for runners throughout the one-mile loop.

The longest distance on the day will be six miles in the open men category, the shortest is two miles for the under-12s.

Junior races will begin at 8.30 a.m. with the senior athletes going under starter's orders around half-an-hour later.

Race registration will start at 8 a.m. in the middle of the Botanical Gardens in front of Camden House.

Refreshments are being supplied by sponsor Butterfield and Vallis. All participants will get a T-shirt. Winners will get a gift, trophy and medal. Runners-up will also get a medal.

Winners of the Onion Series will also be presented with their prizes tomorrow.

• Later tomorrow afternoon there is a one-mile fun run and walk in the Botanical Gardens organised by the Salvation Army. Entrants are asked to dress in festive costumes, or buy a pair of fun antlers to wear. There will be prizes for the best costumes.

The one-mile event starts at 4 p.m. Other festive activities will be held in the Gardens to coincide with the Elf & Santa Shuffle, including face painting, craft sale and food and refreshments. The afternoon of fun starts at 3 p.m. and goes on until 7 p.m.

• A memorial run is being held this Sunday for Olympic marathon triallist Ryan Shay, who died during the US trials in New York.

Bermuda international Ashley (Couper) Estwanik knew Ryan's young wife Alicia as a fellow Stanford University athlete. And both she and husband Chris Estwanik also crossed paths with the 28-year-old Ryan when he was training on woodland trails in California.

In a bid to show support for Alicia Shay, herself an aspiring Olympian, as she comes to terms with losing her husband, the Estwaniks are appealing to anyone in Bermuda's running community to join a walk, jog or run over a non-competitive 5.5 miles from Astwood Park starting at 9 a.m.

A photograph of all those who participate will be send to Alicia Shay.