The KPMG Junior Off-Road Running Series kicks off this Sunday with the KPMG "Round the Grounds" event at the Botanical Gardens.

The series, which is sure to attract elite juniors and young first time competitors alike, has an entirely new course that will steer the young runners away from all busy roads along a half mile circuit.

The Under-13's will run two laps to complete the one mile race, while the 13 to 15-year-olds will lap the course four times to complete a 2.1 mile course.

The KPMG Series has moved from a January to November start to fall in line with the junior training schedules which will see young athletes building up stamina and fitness levels in the winter months, in preparation for the track and field season.

A new generation of talented juniors has already started to emerge since the start of the running season.

In the Under-10 category, racers to look for include Anasia Barclay and Akiyah Barclay, who both performed well in the recent Spittal Pond and Botanical Gardens Cross Country races, while in the boy's section, Haile Eve, Charlie Keyes and Sean Tucker will be the ones to watch.

In the U-12 category, top junior triathlete Justin Ferreira showed exceptional form at the Spittal Pond event, completing the gruelling hilly course minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Other elite juniors on track for victory this season in the girls category are; Jordan Bascome, Aaliyah Nolan and previous Series winner Kyra Scraders

In the older age groups, Dage Minors, who ran a blistering 18:23 over the three mile course in the Botanical Gardens last Sunday to win his U-14 category and Shuntae Hendrickson who won the girls section in 21:57, are both strong contenders for Sunday's race.

Juma Mouchette, who recently handily won the Crime Stoppers 1.5 mile road race, is also in excellent form.

Bermuda Timing Systems will be providing the real-time, digital chip timing for the event and all registered competitors are asked to collect their race number and corresponding chip from the entry tent located on the South Lawn of Camden Gardens, Sunday morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

KPMG Series and "Round the Grounds" race organisers, The Mid Atlantic Athletic Club (MAAC), are encouraging all junior runners aged eight to 15-years-old to sign-up for Sunday's race on-line at www.bermudatiming.bm or www.maac.bm.

Alternatively, they can pick up an entry form from the Sportseller in Washington Mall.

All entries must be received before 4:45 p.m. tomorrow.

The second race in the three-race series will be the BTFA Cross Country, hosted by Swan's Running Club, at the Arboretum on Saturday November 15.

The third and final race will be the Odd Distance Track Meet, which will be held on Sunday December 7 at the National Sports Centre.