For the first time the annual Bank of Bermuda Foundation Triathlon 2009 Race Series will hold its team and individual events on the same day.

Organisers hope the decision to bring the races together rather than have them run on alternate weekends will help raise excitement among participants and spectators.

"Integrating the team and individual events into one day increases overall participation in the event and generates more excitement. Some adult participants will complete the swimming portion of the event and then go on to complete the triathlon as an individual." said race director Ian Pilgrim.

The series, which will be held on Sunday September 27, will be divided into four races, junior individual and team junior duathlons and individual and team sprint triathlon events.

The event marks the 19th year that the Bank of Bermuda Foundation has sponsored this popular triathlon.

Director and secretary of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, David Lang, said.

"I hope that this year we can again attract a broad range of participants from individual athletes, both adult and junior, to corporate and family teams.

"The Bank of Bermuda Foundation Triathlon is very much a community-spirited event and we invite the community to come out and support our athletes."

Applications for adult and youth teams and individual entries are available at Bank of Bermuda branches, Sportseller in the Washington Mall, Winner's Edge on Front Street, and Bicycle Works on Woodlands Road. It is also possible to enter online at www.raceday.bm.

The entry closing date is Wednesday September 23 at 5 p.m.

No late entries will be accepted.