International Race Weekend organisers have thrown down the gauntlet to runners offering them a unique chance to complete the trio of races as part of the inaugural Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

For the first time the Front Street mile, the 10k run/walk, and the marathon/half marathon will be brought under one umbrella for those willing to take on the gruelling Challenge, between January 18-20 next year.

It is the brainchild of the Bermuda Track and Field Association and Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel as part of a drive to garner greater interest from overseas entrants. Participants who complete the Challenge will receive a commemorative medal and tee-shirt.

Now in its 33rd year, it is hoped the new initiative will attract more visitors to the Island during the traditionally quiet month of January to compete in the races. The event falls on the Martin Luther King weekend, allowing US runners to return home on the Monday holiday.

As tourism has declined in Bermuda so has number of overseas competitors and race secretary Pam Shailer hopes the Challenge will reinvigorate interest.

"We're offering a package through Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel. Similar events are being done in the US and Canada and the Challenge will add another dimension to the race weekend. A lot of race weekends now offer packages such as Disney's Goofy's Race and Half Challenge."

Historically only runners who qualified in December could run the Front Street mile, but organisers have created an open division to enable overseas entrants, and local, to take part in all three events.

"We've found over the years some local runners have taken part in our 10k run and full/half marathon. Next year's event will allow everybody to take part in the trio of races, should they wish. Obviously overseas runners are unable to qualify in December so this allows them the chance also."

A dozen or so elite runners from across the globe will again be competing in the mile, with organisers still offering $10,000 for anyone who shatters the four-minute mark.

"We're not sure how many competitors will take on the Challenge," added Shailer. "It's something new and I think some competitors who usually do two events may be inclined to do all three so they can say they've completed the Challenge.

"Hopefully it will help rebuild our overseas entrants which were once around 1,100 but fell to 248 last year. Our local numbers have always been high with 660 competing last time around."

President and founder of Marathon Tours and Travel Thom Gilligan said this year would be Marathon Tours' 30th trip to Bermuda Race Weekend so they wanted to offer something special.

"The Challenge will be a fun way for our travellers who want to take full advantage of the Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend, the running events offered and a perfect winter getaway."

The Bermuda Triangle Challenge is offered exclusively through Marathon Tours and Travel for overseas participants.

For more information on the Bermuda Triangle Challenge and Bermuda International Race Weekend, visit www.marathontours.com or call Marathon Tours and Travel on (617) 242-7845.

Local runners can register via www.bermudaraceweekend.com