a row in the 16th Annual Princess to Princess 7.2-mile road race (9.30 a.m.).

The expected inclusion of world-class overseas runners Marcos Barreto and Michael Bartoszak in the 150-plus field could certainly have a bearing on the outcome.

Barreto, a Mexican, is on the Island to defend his ADT Bermuda 10-K title during International Race Weekend while Bartoszak is the favourite in the Bank of Butterfield Elite Mile.

Whether they choose to run in earnest or utilise Sunday's event for training purposes is not known but Forgesson had a dim view of his chances in regards to beating the pair.

"If those guys run they'll obviously be in a different class altogether,'' said Forgesson, who outkicked Kavin Smith at the end of last year's event to win in a time of 39:45, well off the local record of 36:47 held by John Beeden and American David Swanston's course record 36:08. "I've tapered for this one (race) over the last week and I'll just run as hard as I can.'' While he will be going all out tomorrow, Forgesson has his sights on the ADT Bermuda Marathon next Sunday, an event he missed in 1992.

"I'm shaping up for the marathon,'' said Forgesson. "It's a week away so I think I'll have enough time to recover.

"I don't know what sort of shape I'm in as I haven't done many races recently. My first event in some time was the Midnight Run in New York on New Year's Eve, which was a five-miler.'' Still Forgesson should stand in good position to challenge for local honours.

However, he will likely have to deal with the usual cast of characters such as Kavin Smith, Tracy Wright, Mark Perry and Kevin Tucker.

As has become custom Smith attempted to play down the significance of his running saying that he just wants to have "a comfortable run and won't be taking it too seriously.'' "It's just another part of my training regime and build up for next week,'' Smith said. "I'm going to try and not get myself pulled into anything. I would like to but my coach says otherwise.'' Among the women, Sandra Mewett is the returning champion and she has the possible challenges of Anna Eatherley, Karen Adams and Jane Christie to contend with.

Her winning mark of 42:52 last year was well outside her course record 41:32 set back in 1988.

Competitors are reminded that race numbers can be picked up from 8.15 a.m.

onwards and the transport of runner's gear is available at the start until 9.15 a.m.

The Bermuda Track and Field Association will host the year's first track event at the National Stadium on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

A number of distance events have been included and it is hoped that some of those involved in International Race Weekend will use it for a last-minute warm-up.

See Sport Scoreboard for the schedule of events.

BRETT FORGESSON -- Last year's Princess to Princess winner.