Michal Bartoszak yesterday described it as the best place in the world for runners -- and Bermuda will once again be in the spotlight tonight as International Race Weekend grabs centre stage with the Front Street Mile beginning at 7.30 p.m.

Bartoszak's love affair with the Island began three years ago, even though he was beaten by American Joe Falcon in one of the most electrifying finishes in local Mile history -- 4:07 to 4:05 -- but the native of Poland has claimed the race -- and Front Street -- as his own ever since.

The following year he finally made it to the winner's circle by beating Falcon in 4:05 and in the process equalled the mark held by the American and England's Steve Cram.

Last year he clocked 4:10.2 in another exhilarating finish, this time beating Paul Freary, who crossed the finish line in 4:10.8.

Bartoszak -- who went on to win the Mile in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 3:50.61 later last year -- is back on the Island in a unique bid for a three-peat.

"He's always going to be here,'' said Freary of the champion yesterday, contemplating whether he can make his own jump from fifth place (1993), to second (1994) and steal the crown away from Bartoszak, noted almost as much for his spiked hair as for spiking the dreams of his opponents.

"I was really waiting for this weekend because I think it's the best place in the world for runners,'' Bartoszak said during a media gathering at Number Six Shed. "Many of my spectacular wins have been here, it's great for me.'' Bartoszak, with a wide grin, is also aware of the fact that this time he'll be in the hot seat more than ever.

Not only is he defending champ in the Mile, but also the 10K, on tap tomorrow at 10 a.m. with National Stadium as the starting point.

"To be defending champion is not easy,'' he said. "There's big pressure, everybody will want to beat me.'' Besides Freary, at least seven other overseas runners and two locals will set their sights on the lanky Pole.

Also at the starting line at 8.50 p.m. tonight will be former champion Cram, Tim Garguilo and Tim Pitcher of the United States, Simon Vrouman of Holland, John Bowden of Canada and Michael Dear and Andrew Letherby of Australia.

Terrance Armstrong and Steven Burgess will represent Bermuda.

"I'm more nervous, but that will make me stronger, too,'' said Bartoszak, the star attraction at yesterday's official kick-off which featured 14 other overseas runners competing this weekend.

For first-time participant Letherby, it'll strictly be a wait-and-see attitude to the Front Street frolics.

"I think I'm just going to try to hang in with the majority of the pack really, if there is a pack,'' he said.

Freary, who came agonisingly close to pulling off the biggest surprise in the Mile last year, arrived for the gathering on his motorbike passing the exact spot where he felt he lost the race to Bartoszak.

"I kicked about 400 metres out, but I've got a plan this time,'' declared Freary with a smile. "We'll just see how it goes.'' Preferring not to dwell on the ballyhooed rematch with his European rival, Freary said his training had been going much better than a year ago, but he wasn't prepared to read too much into it.

"I'm faster at a half mile and my speed work is better,'' he said.

"Strength-wise I ran 481 minutes for 10 miles on the road and I was really pleased with that, so I think I'm in all around better shape. Hopefully I can transfer that out there (tonight).'' Freary also hopes to translate that into a better finish in the 10K, where he finished a strong tenth last year in 31:34, but acknowledged that "the mile is my main objective. You still want to win every race.'' "Last year I ran 30:08 in a 10K, but you've got some 28-and-a-half minute boys here.'' Bartoszak added the 10K championship to his mile title last year when he snatched the lead away from England's Dave Lewis just 20 yards from the finish line, clocking 29:32.

Two of those capable of clocking 28 minutes are Kenyans John Kipkoskei and Richard Rono, both expected to be major forces in tomorrow's race. The duo have been on the Island since Wednesday and have already been hard at work on training runs. They planned to scout the 10K route yesterday afternoon.

Both are using Bermuda as a launching pad for future events -- for Rono it's the Los Angeles Marathon and for Kipkoskei the Tokyo Marathon.

"We don't really feel pressure, but we want to show that we are strong,'' said Rono. "We need to run well and get more world records.'' Said Kipkoskei: "Wherever you're running you need to win.'' Race chairman Philip Guishard announced yesterday that at least three runners he was anxious to see here this weekend won't be coming -- Italian Gianni Poli, winner of the 1986 New York Marathon, Kenyan Billy Konchellah and Mary-Lynn Currier of the US.

A pair of US runners hoping to give running queen Anne-Marie Letko a run for her 10K crown are Debbie Kilpatrick and Michele Burresh. Letko won for the second straight year in 1994 when she ran the course in 33:48.

It's not entirely clear what kind of shape Letko will be in considering she came in third during the New York Marathon late last year and may not have been training as hard lately.

"Anne Marie is never out of shape too much,'' said Burresh, smiling. "Her bad shape is not that bad. It's just nice to compete with someone of her calibre, just to see where you're at.'' Burresh, who has heard the course can be difficult, was eager to find out for herself. "I've heard there's quite a few hills. I saw parts of it and it's either all up or all down.'' Among the local runners tackling those hills today will be in-form Tracy Wright as well as Harry Patchett and Colin Swan. Former local female winner Merernette Bean will also put in an appearance along with Karen Adams, Maria Conroy Haydon and Jane Christie.

Peter Whitehead of England -- here for the first time -- said runners competing in the Mile could hold a decided advantage in the 10K, particularly if there's a close finish as in 1994.

"They're going to be hard to beat over 400 metres, especially if it's down to a sprint finish,'' said Whitehead, who is coming off a 12K event in Cali, Colombia two weeks ago.

Debbie Butterfield will try to recapture the women's title in the half marathon in a field which also includes Julia Hawley.

Wright, last year's runner-up to Kavin Smith, is apparently still considering whether to sign up.

Defending local ladies marathon champion Kim Mason is again entered for that event, where the spotlight should be on Russians Alexander Kuftyrev and Gusman Abdullin.

OFF AND RUNNING -- With late entries still coming in, an expected field of more than 400 will line up for today's International 10K starting at 10.00 a.m. from outside National Stadium.

Michal Bartoszak Paul Freary Debbie Kilpatrick John Kipkoskei Richard Rono