the track -- with the help of his good friend Terrance Armstrong.

Donawa would like to represent the Island at the CAC Games in El Salvador in July, but first he needs to get some track meets under his belt.

That is where Washington-based Armstrong could help, by using his wealth of athletics contacts in the US to help Donawa target and enter suitable meets.

Donawa was the first local to complete Sunday's International half-marathon and came an impressive third overall.

But his performance on Saturday was arguably even more eye-catching. Donawa was 10th overall in the 10K in a time of 32 minutes, 29 seconds, just 16 seconds behind Armstrong.

The fact that he beat two elite runners, Samuel Gabremariam and Phillip Castillo was testament to the quality of his run.

It was Donawa's best-ever Race Weekend time and now the 28-year-old flying fireman is wondering what he can achieve on the track.

"The CAC Games is something I want to concentrate on this year, because I'd like to get into representing Bermuda individually on the track, as well as in the cross-country team event,'' said Donawa.

"I would probably be looking at the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres. I've never run a 10K on the track before and that's something I'd like to do.

"I'd have to pick an event which would cater to a big field, then I could get in there. "I'm going to keep in touch with Terrance. We've always had a good relationship and he's always helped me out in terms of getting to meets and keeping me informed of them.

"I'd like to hook up with him some time this year and go to one or two meets in the States and maybe do a 5K or a 10K, just to establish myself.

"It's difficult over here because of the level of competition. Local races are not enough. I want to be the best I can be. We all like to believe there is a higher level of performance in us.'' Donawa's relationship with Armstrong goes back a long way.

"He's over there in the States and it's great to utilise his knowledge.

Terrance and I share a lot -- we even have the same birthday, October 2! We've been friends since primary school.'' Donawa's second goal this year is the CAC Cross Country Championships in November, to be held in Bermuda. He is the national cross country champion.

Armstrong also intends to bolster the Bermuda team.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Armstrong also confirmed he is aiming to run for the Island in next year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

"I definitely want to run the 1500 in the Commonwealths and I'll see if the 5K will take me there as well. But the 1500 is my primary event and I'll stick at it.'' Armstrong ran his national record time of 3:41.97 in 1998, the same year he managed an eighth-place finish in the Commonwealth Games 1500 metres final in Kuala Lumpur.

He has recently increased his training mileage from 70 miles per week to 100 -- but that resulted in an over-use injury of a knee ligament which set back his training by a month.

"I was trying to increase my mileage, see how much base I could get and run more 3Ks and 5Ks and I was hoping that my extra strength would carry into my 1500 runs. But it didn't work out and I guess I will go back to my usual.

"I'm still looking to make my 5K debut though, so it should be an interesting year.

"The Commonwealth Games are definitely a long-term goal, but before then I'll be looking to qualify for the World Championships outdoors (in Edmonton, Canada, in August) and the CACs, in both track and field and cross country.'' Friends and rivals: Jay Donawa (number nine) and Terrance Arstrong (eight) set off among the mass of runners at the start of Saturday's International Race Weekend 10K.