PARTICIPATING teams have lifted their preparation for next month's Sigatoka Bilibili Race.
The 28th edition of the event will be held on October 10 in the Sigatoka River.
Event publicity officer Una Murray said the intensity of the competition between Coral Coast hotels and affiliates had increased over the years.
"Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji's event teams have been spotted putting in plenty of blood, sweat and tears in preparation for this year's event," she said. "Training has been underway in each of the disciplines and the team captains have been monitoring times and results in what is expected to be Outrigger's best performance in many years."
Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji team director Russell Blaik said they had set the target to finish on top after finishing fourth last year.
"Our teams have been sacrificing their time and energy this year and the commitment to the training is outstanding," he said
The bilibili races started as a friendly get-together but are now a significant event on the Fiji sporting calendar.
"The full-day program begins with a fun relay race from the Hideaway Resort into Sigatoka Town followed by a series of road events culminating in the men's bilibili race along the Sigatoka River in the afternoon," Murray said.
"The event draws a crowd of thousands who revel in the fun and excitement on the day cheering on their favourite teams."