Dennis Mbelenzi is planning to run a calculated race while targeting victory in the Ludwig Cann 10K tomorrow.

Mbelenzi is gearing up for the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia on March 22, but has committed himself to run the Legends Series.

“Due to the volume of training I am doing right now, I do not expect to have the freshness for a quick time, but I’d be delighted to win and will definitely be taking the race seriously,” Mbelenzi told The Royal Gazette.

“I am registered for the Legend Series and I will be racing this first one. It’s coming on a week of high training volume as I am preparing for a full marathon in March.

“I may not be able to participate in the mandatory three races to be eligible for the Legend Series, but that’s still to be decided.”

While 44-year-old Mbelenzi, the winner of the Ludwig Cann 10K in 2018, is running, Sean Trott is skipping the race as he is not feeling well. The same illness ruled out the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby champion from the Ed Sherlock 8K, which was meant to be the opening race of the series before it was postponed due to bad weather.

“I’m just not at full strength at the moment,” Trott said.

“I had considered running earlier in the week, but I have a lingering cold that I’m dealing with that has made me decide to wait before I race again.”

With Trott and last year’s race winner Jake Brislane not racing, Mbelenzi could face competition from Kallan Richardson, Philip Woollins and Tim Price.

As Gayle Lindsay, who dominated the series over the years, has relocated, the women’s competition promises to be a battle between friends Stepanka Sprincova, Teresa Ruiz and Rose-Anna Hoey.

“As always I will try to do my best and I’m hoping for a good run,” Sprincova said.

“As for competition, I will try to stay with Teresa and give her a good race.”

Following the postponement of the Ed Sherlock 8K from February 8 to April 4, the Ludwick Cann 10K marks the beginning of the Swan’s Running Club Legends Series.