THE men's race is wide open while last year's top two women in the Marathon Derby are out because of injuries.

"I think this year it could be a very technical race because everyone seems to be running pretty fast," said Marathon Derby King Kavin Smith who has nine titles under his belt.

And while Smith doesn't see himself in the winner's circle after Wednesday's classic, he said there are a number of runners who could win it including last year's champion Terrance Armstrong who flies in from his New Jersey home this weekend to defend his title.

"The Marshall brothers are flying and Terrance is supposed to be running some pretty awesome times. And then you have Jay (Donawa) who has some good times this year. Even I might have a good day ? who knows. I am going to try and get into the top 15," said Smith who after last year's disappointment was seriously aiming to get back his Marathon Derby title this year.

And it was all going so well for him until the beginning of the year.

Just witness his superb sixth-place finish at the Royal Victoria Marathon in Canada in November where he clocked 2:36:24. "I was in great shape and I had a plan for May 24. I was doing everything right. I was not over-training and I wasn't pressing hard. I was so excited because I was so fit ? I had to force myself to slow down a bit and not overdo it. But it all fell apart," lamented Smith.

"I got a slight injury in January ? in the lower leg but it seemed to clear up well," he said. But the injury came back. "It was disappointing because I was so strong. I didn't race much but just concentrated hard on training," he added.

He took a long break and then started getting back into it in April. "I had put on eight and half pounds ? my cuts started filling in!"

Half his mind wants to say "to heck with it".

He explained: "I have been running (competitively) for 30 years now ? I started when I was only nine years old. People don't realise the work we runners put in ? they just see the finished product."

Next year Smith turns 40 years old and he said with a smile: "I told all the Masters boys that I will be in their category next year so watch out!"

Jay Donawa, one of Bermuda best runners but who has yet to win a Marathon Derby title, said this week: "I feel pretty good. I am fortunate in that I have been injury free and have not been sick ? hence the consistentcy in my times. That is something a runner always wants."

Donawa had surgery last year after the Derby. "I had an inflamed nerve between the second and third toes. It felt like I had a marble on the bottom of my foot and it had to be repaired."

That surgery went well and now he is looking forward to what is expected to be a close race. He is good friends with last year's winner Terrance Armstrong and said: "I have corresponded with Terrance and he is looking forward to come back."

Donawa also feels the Marshall brothers ? Lamont and Larry ? have been running exceptionally well. "It is good to see that there is some youth coming through because for a long time you had Tracy (Wright) and Mike Watson and then Kavin (Smith) came along and dominated all these years and then it was me and Terrance ? but after that there seemed a gap and now you have the Marshall brothers who are about 10 years or more younger than me. It is refreshing to see because at one point I was the youngest guy out there ? I was the baby of the group ? but I am 33 now. Having the Marshall brothers coming along now is good for Bermuda and the running scene as a whole."

While others may nervously look over their shoulders at younger runners creeping up on them, Donawa says he always encourages people like the Marshall brothers. "I have never been one to feel threatened by others coming along. I remember when I was 13 years old running and the older guys always encouraged me and now those guys are in the Masters and Senior Masters. It is a cycle of life.

"I have good relationships with the Marshall brothers and their father ? I have a lot of respect for them. I have told them that I wish them all the best and I try to give them encouragement. In the end you still compete against them. But the way I look at it is the more competition the better the race. You don't feel as fulfilled when you win against a field that is watered down. I always welcome competition."

And the men's field this year is far from watered down.

However the top two women finishers in last year's May 24 Marathon Derby will not be on the start line when the annual classic starts. Both Lynn Patchett and Victoria Fiddick are suffering injuries although Patchett will be competing in the bike race.

Patchett said: "I am not participating in the run this year. I have had a running injury for three months now but I will be racing on the bike which is something I have never done on May 24. It will be a different challenge for me and will be interesting."

Asked who she thought could win on Wednesday, Patchett said: "There are a number of runners who could do well. It is going to be an exciting race this year. Kim McMullin has come in third in consecutive years in the past and she is a very strong runner. People sometimes have overlooked her. She knows the course and having that experience is so important."

"Karen Bordage is super strong but she has not run this race before. However she has come off some impressive marathon times. Then you have Dawn Richardson who has not been in Bermuda long. She has a 2:47 marathon under her belt."

However experience in the May 24 course is so important, said Patchett. "If you have not run this race and are not used to the heat and hills it can be difficult. It is a very challenging course. Dawn could surprise everyone and take it. She is from England and may not be used to the heat and humidity and that can affect you. But you never know ? she is an experienced runner and it is anyone's race."

Patchett had a major disappointment this year when, after training so hard for the Commonwealth Games and qualifying, was not allowed to go because of new eligibility rules.

She said: "I moved on once the decision was made. I needed to put it behind me and I have done so. I don't look back now ? I look forward. I set myself some other goals and some other races on the bike this summer. I have had to re-establish my goals and move on ? just go forward.

"I had put my bike down after it was decided I wouldn't be going to the Commonwealth Games. I took a break from everything and gathered my thoughts about what I wanted to do this season. I then started to concentrate on training for May 24 and that is when I injured myself. I have just recovered now and am able to do a couple of runs a week."

Her injury is related to right back and hip. "It is a long-term injury I have had and was exasperated by going back to running so I have had to treat it and be patient with it. That is hard to do ? and especially being a physiotherapist it doesn't bode well for me setting an example! But these things happen.

"The injury affects me more running than on the bike. I had been solely cycling (for the Commonwealth Games) and the change of utilising the (different) muscles (associated with running) hampered things more."

This summer Patchett plans to compete in some pro cycling races in the United States.

One of the favourites for Wednesday's classic is Karen Bordage. She said this week: "It is a pity Lynn, Victoria (Fiddick) and Anna (Eatherley) are injured. I guess is is a case of bad luck. I have been training well and am really looking forward to the race. It really is a special race because there is so much community spirit. It is the one race I have been looking forward to all year ? the crowds are so supportive. In races in other places you only get a few people out but with this one so many people are watching and cheering. It is a real tradition."

Bordage expects tough competition from the McMullin sisters (Kim and Deanna) and "I hope Karen Smith is running ? she is very strong with her triathlon background".

And Bordage expects new girl Dawn Richardson to do well. "We have raced against each other a couple of times. She is fantastic runner and I certainly hope she is geared up to race. She is very strong runner and I am confident she has been acclimatised since she is here. As long as she can handle the conditions she will do very well."

Last year's second-place runner, Victoria Fiddick, is down in the dumps because an injury will leave her on the sidelines. "I just came out of a cast," she said." "I have not run since February. I have a stress fracture and at first I tried to deal with it without a cast and that didn't work so I missed quite a lot of time. The sad thing is that I had put in five months of good training for the race ? I was really training hard for it.

"I did well last year so I said I should really try and focus on the half marathon this time ? last year I focused on the 5K and I did well so I thought if I really focussed on the half I would do well. But you get better or you fall over and I fell over. I am so disappointed."

Fiddick has been spending her time training ? but in the water. "I have done a two-hour workout every day in the water or on my bike so fitness wise I am still there. I just need to shape up on land! I run in the water ? pool running. It was hard in February when it was so cold. I originally thought I would only be out for three weeks but ...."

Who does she think will win the race?

Fiddick said Bordage is very strong and of Dawn Richardson she said: "I have never seen her but I know from the last couple of races she did very well."

The McMullin sisters are both strong but as she said: "On that day anything can happen."

Fiddick doesn't even know whether she will go out and watch the race. "I want to go and watch the race but I don't know whether I could stand it!" she said.