Bermuda is set to host a major international triathlon seven years after a similar event was forced off the road following pressure from local church communities.

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup will come to the Island next September 24, bringing with it the sport's leading professional athletes.

The race, over an Olympic course, will be one in a series of 12 to be held at different venues around the world.

Work behind the scenes has been ongoing for more than a year, involving the ITU, the Bermuda Triathlon Association, Government's Committee on Competitiveness and the Department of Tourism.

While shoe manufacturers Reebok and Coca Cola are major sponsors of the World Cup, it's understood the Department of Tourism will pump more than $100,000 into promotion of the Bermuda event.

TV exposure is expected to be worldwide with organisers also hoping to earn a spot on Saturday's CBS `Eye on Sports' programme.

Dave Morrison, president of the Bermuda Triathlon Association, noted yesterday that although roads on the course would be closed for up to two hours, organisers would be going to great lengths to ensure that church worshippers would not be inconvenienced.

In fact, only one church -- St. Anne's in Southampton -- would be affected, and the minister there had "expressed enthusiastic support for the triathlon,'' said Morrison.

Bermuda's International Triathlon Championships, held in 1987 and 1988, folded following an outcry from churchgoers who claimed they were prevented from attending services because of race-related road closures.

"As a matter of courtesy we're drafting a letter that will be sent to the Ministerial Association advising them of the race,'' added Morrison. "But it won't affect access to any church other than St. Anne's, and even worshippers there will be able to get to their services.

"We (BTA) will facilitate this event but the ITU will organise it. Police have given their approval in principle with the proviso that churches are informed, following the previous problems.

"We're in the process of distributing flyers to every residence on the route explaining what we intend to do, and we'll be inviting them to a meeting to discuss the event. If people need to get out during the two hours of the race, transport will be provided.'' A new course -- 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre cycle and 10K run -- has provisionally been mapped out, which Morrison says will be ideal for spectators.

Starting from the Whaler Inn in Southampton, the swim will take competitors on a two loop course to Sonesta Beach and back.

Once on the cycle, the athletes will embark on eight loops of a course which leaves the Whaler Inn and continues through the Southampton Princess property to Lighthouse Road, onto St.Anne's Road and Church Road and back along South Shore Road.

Although the run route has yet to be finalised, it's expected to start from Horseshoe Bay car park and continue along the beach and sand dunes to Warwick Camp before doubling back along South Shore Road.

"We're very conscious about minimising disruption to the public,'' said Morrison. "But we think this course is particularly good for spectators and for television.'' The BTA chief noted that Committee of Competitiveness member Colin Couper, himself a keen athlete, had been a prime mover in negotiating the return of an international triathlon to the Island. Department of Tourism's Director of marketing Peter Smith had also been heavily involved.

American runner Dave McGillivray, a regular competitor in Bermuda's International Race Weekend, will be the triathlon's race director with help from local coordinator Suthy Madeiros.

McGillivray organised the 1990 World Triathlon Championships in Disney World and has also been a key figure in the organisation of the Boston Marathon.

Next September's event is expected to draw a field of some 50 men and between 30 and 50 women -- all professionals.

However, the door has been left open for the possible entry of two or three Bermuda competitors.

Morrison noted that the likes of Greg Hopkins, Steve Doyling, Neil De Ste.

Croix as well as Julia Hawley and Shona Palmer, who have all excelled in local triathlons, could be invited to compete.

Besides the prize-money, entrants will be out to earn series points with bonus cash awarded to those who finish the series with the most points.

A locals-only triathlon is expected to precede the main event over the same course.