Get set for the 31st running of the Fairmont to Fairmont road race this Sunday and the crowning of a new men's champion.

American Carl Kinney, who took the field by surprise last year when he ran the third fastest time in the event's history, will not be defending this year, leaving the way clear for a new winner.

Two big names due to compete are former May 24 champion Kavin Smith and new resident, sub-four minute US miler Chris Estwanik. As of today it is not known whether seven-time champ and last year's runner-up Jay Donawa will also be in the mix, nor young road racing talents Lamont and Larry Marshall.

Organisers expect a field of around 300, if not more, to take part in the 7.2-mile race that starts at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and goes via Harbour Road to a finish at the Fairmont Southampton's Ocean Club (formerly the Whaler Inn).

Sponsors the Fairmont Hotels (Bermuda) have arranged for a stunning prize draw of a three-night stay in Boston at the Fairmont Copley Plaza and a round-trip to that city courtesy of JetBlue — the prize draw is open to all entrants.

Runners will also be able to use the Fairmont's own ferry service to ride back to Hamilton after the race — a new feature that was first tried last year and has been retained.

And there should be a significant boost for The Friends of Hope Academy as $5 from every entry fee, which will be doubled by Fairmont Bermuda, will go to special needs students at the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy.

Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club is again organising the road race season opener, with April Vesey and Chris Page race co-directors.

In a touching recollection of his experience last year, when he won in a time of 37:07, American Kinney said he feels the Fairmont race is the best he has come across in terms of course, organisation and atmosphere. He would like to return in 2009 to compete again and believes the race could benefit from actively trying to attract some overseas athletes each year.

Co-race director Page said the idea of attracting overseas athletes, and of perhaps inviting past winners from overseas to defend their titles was something that would be considered and discussed in the future with sponsors Fairmont Bermuda.

"The Fairmont Hamilton Princess is the host hotel for International Race Weekend so it would not take a tremendous amount to connect all the dots," he commented.

Because of the way the calendar dates fall this year, the Fairmont race is separated by two weeks from International Race Weekend. It is more usually a one-week difference between the two events.

Page said: "A lot of local athletes actually prefer the two-week gap because it means they can really go for it in this race and still have time to recover before International Weekend."

Fairmont pastry chef Rolf Runkel, who has raced the event four times before, said: "As a runner, I like it for a number of reasons. It is a great deal of fun and very spirited. It's the start of the race year and for those of us in the running community it's a great lead-in to the International Race Weekend.

"The fact that this year we will be supporting the kids at Hope Academy is just one more reason to get involved."

Light refreshments and music, from Deejay Double S, will get runners into the mood for the final hour before the start of the race at 9 a.m. on Sunday, while at the finish there will be further refreshments, sports massage and prize-giving.

Athletes will wear strap-on timing chips, as used in the recent Bacardi 8K, to assist in speedy and accurate race results. The closing deadline for race entries is 4 p.m. today at Sportseller in the Washington Mall or online at www.maac.bm.

Late entries will be accepted tomorrow morning at race number pick-up in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess from 9 a.m. until noon. There will be no entries accepted on race day.

For junior runners aged 15 and under there will be a 3K race starting at the Heron Bay Market Place at 8.30 a.m. and finishing at the Fairmont Southampton. There will be various age prize categories in both the juniors' race and the main race.