Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) will host the National Cross-Country Championships this Saturday at the Botanical Gardens.

Champions will be crowned in 10 age groups with trophies awarded to all winners and medals presented to second and third place finishers.

Also handed out will be prizes for winners in the 2008 KPMG Junior Off-Road Running Series.

BTFA spokesperson Donna Watson said she was excited about the race day, noting that it would serve as an ideal warm-up for those competing in International Race Weekend to be held a week later.

"This is the final event for cross-country and we will be crowning the national champion in each age group before moving into the track and field season," said Watson.

"This should be a good warm-up, especially for those athletes in the Front Street Mile.

"We will be looking at Justin Ferreira and Kyra Scraders to shine in the Under-12 category, Dage Minors," she added.

"Kyla Bolden and Shuntae Hendrickson in the Under-14 category, Juma Mouchette, Tre Simons, Emmanuel Joyiens, Ashley Berry and Taylor Bean in the Under-17s and Alexis Bean in the Under 20s."

Watson is hoping that top senior runners Jay Donawa, Chris Estwanik, Kavin Smith and Victoria Fiddick will all be in the field.

"We usually just have the first male across the line as the national champion – last year it was Chris Estwanik," added Watson.

"This year we will have a first place award and a Bermuda national champion (for the overall winner in the BTFA's cross-country series) with a plaque on which the champion's name will be engraved."

Also up for grabs will be a School Trophy, handed out to the Primary, Middle or Senior school fielding the most entries in the series.

Entry forms can be picked up and dropped of at the BTFA box at either Sportseller or International Sports Shop in Hamilton.

Runners can also sign up for the event at the Botanical Gardens between 7.45 and 8.30 am on Saturday morning, with the first race scheduled for 8.30.

Entry fee is $10 for juniors and $15 for seniors.