entries.

Only 66 four-person teams have entered this year's Corporate Relay on Sunday, down from the 82 who took part a year ago.

"I don't have a clue as to why (the numbers) are down,'' said race director Pat Lake.

In addition to lack of competitors, Lake said yesteday that more volunteers were also needed.

Fewer numbers should translate into an easier outing for the defending champions from the Bermuda Telephone Company.

With a team of Andre Manders, Sheldon Thompson, Darren Dowling and Kavin Smith, Telco are favoured to capture the overall crown in the 20-mile run that begins and ends at National Stadium. The four are probably among the top dozen distance runners in Bermuda, with Smith undoubtedly number one.

Other notable entries include Jamal Hart (Belco), Sylvester Pierre (Elbow Beach), Tracy Wright (Public Service) and Steve Burgess (Back to Basics).

Deadline for entries was Monday.

The entry list includes five teams from Police, four from the Bank of Bermuda and one from co-sponsors The Royal Gazette . But unlike last year, there are no competitors from Teachers or Appleby, Spurling and Kempe, Lake said.

"But it's still going to be a pretty good show,'' she said.

Like a traditional relay event, runners carry batons and must hand off to a waiting team-mate. Unlike traditional relays, each competitor runs a different distance: The first leg is approximately 21 miles, the second 31 , the third 41 and fourth 51 .

Baton exchanges all take place at Natonal Stadium. The course varies depending on the leg but mostly encompasses Middle Road, Parsons Lane, Palmetto Road and Frog Lane. The anchor leg sees runners head along Middle Road, down Store Hill and come back along North Shore Road, while third-leg runners go to Vesey Street and back.

RUNNING RUN