However, a certain group will not be complaining this weekend.

They are the competitors in tomorrow's Lindo's 5-Mile Road Race, which has been re-routed because of the road work.

The race and walkathon, organised by Mid Atlantic Athletic Club, will still start (9.30 a.m.) and finish outside Lindo's but the new course will eliminate the `killer' Chaingate Hill before the finish line.

The route takes the runners down Chaingate Hill instead, left onto Middle Road and all the way to Spurling Hill and then left again onto East Broadway before turning onto Berry Hill Road.

The route then turns right onto Point Finger Road to the South Shore junction and then left all the way to Brighton Hill and then back to Lindo's.

Despite the new route, race director Anna Eatherley still expects the race to be challenging for the anticipated 100 runners and 100 walkers.

"People are going to like going down Chaingate Hill rather than up it.

It's a challenging course but marginally easier than the old course,'' said Eatherley.

"The course has been measured by the IAAF measurer so it's exactly five miles, even though it's a different course.'' It is planned to return to the old route next year.

As a result of her added responsibility Eatherley, who would have been one of the favourites amongst the women, will not be competing tomorrow.

Kavin Smith, the men's defending champion, took a break from running last weekend but is expected to compete tomorrow. He won last year's race in 26:36, half a minute ahead of second-place finisher Ann-Marie Letko who was fresh off victories in the ADT Bermuda 10-K and Half-Marathon the month before. Jennifer Fisher should be one of the favourites for the women's title.

There will be prizes in several categories, including first male overall, first female overall and the top three finishers in the male and female open (20-39), masters (40-49), junior (under 20) and first male and female senior masters (50 and over).

The race is also part of the KPMG junior series and as a result emphasis has been put on that category with a number of junior prizes.

Yesterday was the deadline for entries, but late entries will be accepted up to 9 a.m. on race day. Race numbers should be collected from 8.30 tomorrow at Lindo's.

ANNA EATHERLEY -- `People are going to like going down Chaingate Hill rather than up it.'