Thom Gilligan, of Boston-based Marathon Tours, was the man who dreamt up the idea of a Bermuda Triangle Challenge whereby competitors run the mile on Friday, 10K on Saturday and marathon or half-marathon on Sunday.

The Triangle Challenge is being held for the first time this year as part of Bermuda International Race Weekend and Gilligan is one of the 57 participants, which includes some from as far away as Beverley Hills, Montana and the UK.

He believes it will attract 200 people next year as word spreads. Such a boost in numbers would go a long way to re-invigorating International Race Weekend as a significant draw for overseas runners.

He explained that Bermuda was now faced with competition from "destination marathons" such as the Florida Disney Marathon, the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Houston Marathon which all take place at this time of year. Those other events also benefit from sizeable budgets and marketing.

However Bermuda has its pluses too: "It is a foreign country, a British colony and there is no prettier place to run. It is an attractive option.

"Runners now are looking for a destination experience. Bermuda can get back on the radar now with the Triangle Challenge and the opportunity for people to run in a popular open mile race along Front Street," he said.

"It is about people who are not looking for a fast time but want to enjoy themselves doing the sport.

"This is unique - three events and the first part is the mile. The mile race is going to be the sizzle that will get people's attention. We thought we would get 25 people this first year, we have got 57. I believe next year it will be 200."

Amongst those taking part is women's running legend Kathrine Switzer, a personal friend of Gilligan.

At the age of 61 she has put her name to the event, or rather Gilligan did with a bold newsletter inviting runners to take the Triangle Challenge and challenge Switzer at the same time.

Switzer was on one of Gilligan's first Marathon Tours to Bermuda.

She said: "Thom is a visionary, he started the whole idea of taking people to marathon events.

"I told him doing three races in three days was something I gave up 40 years ago."

However, Switzer along with 56 others will be on the start line this evening and is looking forward to creating another running first.