Bermuda’s top middle-distance runner Dage Minors has added the BF&M 10K run to his schedule for the Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

Minors, the defending champion in the Butterfield Mile, is also contemplating running the half-marathon on Sunday as part of his training schedule.

“I'm running the Mile on Friday and on Saturday I’m taking part in the 10K,’’ Minors said.

“It’s early in the year and the 10K is just a training session. Fast race on Friday night then some strength work on Saturday. That’s two good days of running and training for the rest of the year.

“ I may run the half-marathon on Sunday but as an easy run. Sunday is usually my long run but I’ll run that from the back of the pack and run the same pace the whole way. I'm not signed up for that yet so might not run at all.”

On his state of preparedness, especially for the Mile, the 28-year-old is keen not to put himself under much pressure.

“I feel pretty good and it’s early in the year so it’s a test to see where we are and go from there,’’ he told The Royal Gazette.

“The race is important but the training hasn't been geared towards just the Mile. The season goes all the way up to August, so I wouldn't say I've been doing anything specific for this race.

“I feel good in terms of the short term and also excited for the rest of the year.”

Minors, who pocketed $1,500 for winning the Mile last year, will this time around receive $500 if successfully retaining his crown.

Mark Harris, a member of the BTC organising committee cited an increase in the worldwide cost of living which has resulted in entry fees being lowered, as the primary cause for reduction in prize money.

“The reason for the reduction in prize money is that our event, like any other event, has experienced massive increase in all operations,’’ Harris said.

“Last year saw a massive rise in the costs compared to 2020, which is the last time we did it, so we've had to be mindful of the overall costs.

“Because we are mindful of the costs, we actually reduced the prices of the race registration pretty much across the board. People are tightening their budgets so we've had to make adjustments accordingly.

“It was a decision not made lightly when we reviewed all our costs last year. We’re a charity so we've to make sure we’re controlling our costs.

“We've had to cut costs to protect giving back to the BNAA [Bermuda National Athletics Association ] youth programme but without harming the event.

“If things improve in future years, we will look at matters such as prize money, and will make decisions accordingly.”