to take aim at two of the Island's long-standing records when the 20th edition of the popular Evian 10 miler takes place this Sunday.

Mike Watson set the fastest time by a local male when he clocked 51 minutes and 25 seconds back in 1984 while four-time winner Sandra Mewett, now living in New Zealand, recorded 58.21.

Both of those marks, however, could be within reach of Smith, who recently clocked two hours, 29 minutes in the Las Vegas Marathon, and Eatherley, who hasn't been beaten by a local female on the road in over a year and still seems to be improving.

Both Smith and Eatherley were comfortable winners of last Sunday's Lindo's 10K.

However, while the local 10 mile records might give the two athletes added incentive this Sunday, the overall marks held by invited overseas runners could prove out of reach.

Budd Coates, a regular visitor to Bermuda in the 1980s and a writer with Runners World , stormed home in 48.21 back in '84, the year Watson set his local record and still failed to win.

And the overall female record belongs to another American, Judy St. Hilaire, a top US track star who recorded 56.07 in 1981.

This Sunday's race will mark the 20th year it has been sponsored by John Barritt and Son, first under the banner of Perrier and since 1992 through Evian -- each time organised by Midge Oliver on behalf of Mid Atlantic Athletic Club.

The first event, however, was held 22 years ago, the first two years being for ladies only. Debbie Butterfield won the inaugural event and went on to match Mewett with four victories.

During the '80s the race was graced by a number of overseas athletes with several, in addition to Coates, breaking the 50 minute barrier.

Besides Watson, local residents John Beeden and Brett Forgesson both dipped under 53 minutes although Forgesson's time of 52.55 in 1994 was recorded on North Shore when road works forced organisers to switch from the traditional route -- from Botanical Gardens on the South Shore out to Tucker's Town and back.

Plans were in the pipeline to celebrate Sunday's 20th anniversary of Barritt's sponsorship by inviting one or two past champions such as Coates to return.

But it has now been decided instead to boost this year's race by offering additional spot prizes.

As usual the prizes will include four travel vouchers -- two to the overall male and female winners and two as draw awards.

The contribution of past winners is being recognised by an offer of free entry.

Other runners have until 5.00 p.m. on Friday to register although late entries will be accepted on the day at an increased fee. Forms can be picked up from Sportseller or Winner's Edge.

Slower runners will be allowed to start at 9.00 on Sunday morning, half an hour ahead of the regular start.

Record holder: American Budd Coates' mark of 48.21, set back in 1984, still stands as the fastest in the 20-year history of the Perrier and Evian 10 miler.