with defending Bank of Butterfield Elite Mile and ADT Bermuda 10K champion Michal Bartoszak along with reigning women's 10K queen Anne-Marie Letko already confirmed as participants.

Bartoszak, a 24-year-old native of Poland, will be making his third visit to Bermuda and stands as the star attraction for an event that annually grabs the attention of thousands of Bermudians and visitors for three days in early January (13-15).

Action starts on Friday evening via the bank's series of one mile races along Front Street, continues with the 10K on Saturday, before being drawn to a close on the completion of the ADT Bermuda Marathon and the Half Marathon.

Last January witnessed Bartoszak envelope himself in the wrappings of success, as he first thrilled those lining the streets of Hamilton with a telling burst at the end to win the Elite Mile over a classy field and less than 24 hours later came from behind in recording his first 10K triumph on local soil.

Under windy and rainy conditions Bartoszak clocked four minutes, 10.2 seconds in the mile, with notables such as Englishman Paul Freary and Viacheslav Shabounin of Russia among his victims.

The next day saw Bartoszak in the role of the stalker, leading only once during the 10K race, but at the most crucial stage...the finish line.

Co-race director Phillip Guishard was understandably pleased yesterday in revealing the impending return of the Pole, who he believed would be severely tested in his drive to retain both titles this time around.

"I have to say that we are very pleased to have Bartoszak back to defend his titles,'' said Guishard, sharing the directing duties with Mike Charles for the three events, with assistance from Lee Tucker. "I think there will be challenges to his position in both events and it may turn out that he is not the star attraction, but we're always happy to have defending champions come back.

"The advantage Bartoszak has in the mile is that he knows the course intimately... "It will be an interesting battle and all I can say is that I'm excited about the mile.'' Guishard refused to reveal the names of those who might present obstacles to the Pole's defence. However, he did note that a number of former champions were expected to take the starting line in both events.

The field for the elite mile could be the largest ever with a possible 12 overseas runners, including several 1,500 metres specialists, together with the usual mix of locals.

Letko, meanwhile, stands as the most attractive of the females, having decimated the 10K field nearly a year ago for her second Bermuda triumph.

Despite feeling the effects of the 'flu Letko, like Bartoszak 24-years-old, clocked 33:48, almost two minutes ahead of fellow American Laura Mykytok (35:10) and after a solid 1994 season, where she further established herself as one of the States' premier distance runners, appears set for the "three-peat''.

"The return field looks great,'' said Guishard. "All in all it's down to the last three weeks and we're pushing for another great event.'' One who will not be returning is marathon winner Eddie Hellebuyck of Belgium, with the diminutive runner having chosen to take part in the Disney Marathon instead over the same weekend. Also questionable for a return are Canadian Lisa Harvey, fourth behind Letko in the 10K last time, and female marathon champ Tammy Sluser of the United States.

Still expected are at least 16 top overseas males and 10 elite females, which should make up for any void created. They will join the usual influx of overseas runners merely seeking to achieve personal bests.

Guishard sent out a special call for potential sponsors -- corporate or otherwise -- to contact the organisers if they could assist with additional funding or accommodation for the visitors.

He said that they had been besieged with overseas requests by some who might not quite garner elite status and could not be sponsored because of limited funding.

MICHAL BARTOSZAK -- The Polish native, who won last year's Elite Mile and 10K, is headed back to Bermuda.