Former world age record holder Sid Howard is participating in the Bermuda International Race Weekend for the 31st year, making him one of the longest, near-continuous entrants in the event's history.

Regarded as an honorary Bermudian by many in the Island's running fraternity, on account of his long-standing association with both race weekend and the May 24 Half Marathon Derby, Howard lives in New Jersey.

Now 70, he has hardly slowed despite his advancing years, a point underlined in last August's World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland where he won the men's 70 to 74 division 1,500m in five minutes, 19 seconds, and was second in the 800m in 2.29.

He and his late wife first came to Bermuda as visitors in 1977 and stayed at the Belmont Hotel. Their daughter Cynthia married and settled in Bermuda soon afterwards, and it was the following year that Howard, then aged 39, tentatively started running after taking part in a high school's 'old man's race' back in New Jersey.

That was a mile race and he ran a surprisingly quick 5.05, which he followed up with a 3.02 in the New York Marathon. He had caught the running bug, and when he learned that Bermuda had its own International Marathon he returned to the Island in 1979 to take part.

From then on, he has made the trip every year except 1997 when his wife died. Some years he has competed in both the 10K and the half marathon, although in recent years he has limited himself to racing the 10K and helping out at the race registration desk.

This International Race Weekend stalwart, who often wears a cap with an upturned peak when he runs, has become an instantly recognisable figure for race spectators.

He remains in love with the Island and the friendliness of Bermuda's people and has made friends with a virtual who's who of Bermuda's running scene through the years, including the likes of Ray Swan, Mike Whalley, Jim Butterfield, Ed Sherlock, Kavin Smith, Cal Bean, Bob and Midge Oliver and the Marshall family amongst others.

Speaking from his home in the US last month, Howard said he looked forward to returning for his 31st Bermuda International Race Weekend and to returning to Bermuda ¿ a place he loves for its natural beauty and the friendliness of its people.

He summed up those thoughts in a 2007 interview, commenting: "I count my blessings that I found this Island. I love Bermudians' mannerisms and culture and their ways."

Now a great-grandfather, Howard currently holds the US 800m record in the age divisions 60-64, 65-69 and 70-74, as well as the US 1,500m record for men aged 65-69. He is the former 800m indoor world record holder for the age division 60-64, having run a time of 2.14.75 on his 60th birthday.

Last year, out of almost 500 finishers, Howard was 97th in the Bermuda International 10K in a competitive time of 46.54.