third race of the KPMG Running Series -- the Telford Electic Mile at National Stadium.

Some 200 juniors have signed up for the KPMG event -- 40 more than figured in last year's race -- while more than 700 are expected in all of the day's races.

Mark Morrison, seeking to defend his title, will hope to continue his winning ways in the boys' 13-15s. Morrison already has two wins under his belt with victories in the opening KPMG event and the Butterfield and Vallis road race giving him a maximum 100 points so far.

However, over the shorter mile distance he will probably face stiff competition from Henry Talbot, who has 80 points from two second places and has been training for this distance for a few months.

The girls' 13-15s sees an interesting clash between 13-year-old Chloe Kempe and 15-year-old Tiffany Eatherley, the defending champion. Eatherley, an experienced track runner will be in her element, but Kempe has emerged as an outstanding prospect this season.

The 15-year-old missed the first race of the series and finished a close second to Kempe in the Butterfield and Vallis. Currently lying sixth, she desperately needs a win to give her a chance of overhauling Kempe.

The boys' 11 and 12 age category is expected to throw up a close finish between Coyatito Smith, who won the opening two races, Taijuan Talbot and Chayce Smith. The latter disappointed in the Butterfield and Vallis race and will need to win the remaining three events if he hopes to leapfrog Coyatito.

The girls group in this age category is much clearer cut with Flora Duffy, who dominated the first two races, looking a strong bet to sweep the series.

Behind her, there should be a close tussle between Kassie Bather and Latroya Darrell.

The younger 8-10 age groups have attracted large entries in both the boys and girls fields.

One of the stories of the series so far has been the emergence of Shellicia McKenzie. She finished fourth in the age group last year and had been expected to be overshadowed by last year's runner up Kimberly Fisher. However, McKenzie took the first two races of the series with Fisher second in one and not competing in the other.

Fisher, though, had a very quick time in the recent Ocean Spray Junior Road Race and could make tomorrow's event a close one.

The boys event could be just as intriguing with Kor Von Tucker and Carlo Paynter, second and third respectively last year, going head-to-head.