THE historic husband and wife double victory in this year's Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby has all the hallmarks of ushering in a new era of dominance for the island's biggest road race.

But even before the last of the dust kicked up by Monday's 600-strong race field has settled, Ashley Estwanik has acknowledged there is enough potential emerging in the junior ranks to suggest an extended Estwanik hegemony in the event is by no means guaranteed.

And the former Nike Farm Team runners have themselves been giving back to the sport on the island at a grassroots level by assisting in the development of younger athletes who may one day claim their May 24 crowns.

Bermudian Ashley, who represented the island in the 1500 metres at the most recent Commonwealth Games in Australia, can be found on a near-weekly basis offering training guidance to young runners from the Bermuda High School for Girls as well as the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club's junior section.

Husband Chris, who set the fastest winning time for the May 24 event with his comprehensive winning debut in 1:08:25, has also found time to help younger runners when he has been able to squeeze in a few hours outside his work in the reinsurance sector.

This year's runner-up Lamont Marshall, and his older brother Larry who could not defend his 2007 title due to injury, are regarded as the new generation of Bermudian long distance runners.

But now they in turn are being pursued by even younger competitors who have the potential to be the next wave of May 24 title challengers in years to come. Fourth-placed Chayce Smith, 20, ran a competitive one hour 15 minutes 32 seconds, while teenager Sean Trott ducked under 1:20 coming sixth overall.

Recognising the importance of encouraging youngsters, Ashley is often to be found helping young athletes aged between eight and 11 working out on the track. She has seen some who show great future potential, such as nine-year-old Adam Hall.

"Chris has also helped with organising events, but because he often has to work late he can't always get down to the track," she said.

"We went to Horseshoe Bay running with the kids and we're enjoying getting them excited about it."

Ashley points out though that both she and Chris did not become committed to the sport of running until they were into their teens. Before that they tried out in various sports, and the new May 24 women's champion believes that is important for all youngsters (and their parents) to bear in mind during their early years.

"They should be doing other sports and not just running until they decide which sport they want to pursue," she said.

Acknowledging the strong performances of Chayce Smith and Sean Trott, she added: "These are the kind of athletes we want to see continue to improve, and there are kids doing the 800 metres and 1500 metres now who will be able to challenge in the future."

She also dispels the theory that she and Chris are shoo-ins for future May 24 victories.

"Anything can happen on any given day. I was lucky I was not injured, but in a different year I could, say, be injured in February or March and that would set me back in my training for May 24. So anything can happen," she explained.

"Lamont Marshall is an incredible athlete and if his brother Larry had not been injured he would also have been right there in the mix (with Chris)."

One of the athletes personally congratulated by Chris as he crossed the finish line was seventh-placed senior master Sylvester Jean-Pierre.

The 50-year-old said: "I crossed the finish line and was out of breath and he held me and said I was an inspiration to runners ¿ that made me feel good."

Like Ashley, he views the Marshall brothers, Chayce Smith and Sean Trott as clear evidence that a new breed of talented Bermudian distance runners is emerging and will likely challenge for the island's most prestigious race title in future years.

He believes having someone like Chris around should act as a spur, inspiration and motivation to improve their own abilities.

Jean-Pierre, who had a third-place finish as recently as 2003, felt his time was slow this year (1:22:37) although that should be kept in perspective as the 50-year-old is currently working up to 16-hour days, six days a week.

His own race started with a 6:08 first mile and then a few faster miles when he linked up with another runner before finding himself out on his own when the other athlete dropped back before the halfway point around Burnt House Hill.

It meant a lonely race in isolation for Jean-Pierre, however he was able to put on his racing head again around the streets of Hamilton when he closed in on Otis Robinson and eventually overtook him in Cedar Avenue.

Robinson wore the national vest of Ethiopia this year ¿ a gift from a friend, and something that inspired him to his highest place finish yet as he crossed the line eighth overall (1:22:57).

Shrugging off the effects of a 'fatigue syndrome' from earlier in the year, he set out at a 1:17:50 pace and maintained that schedule to the nine-mile mark before pain in his body slowed him and made it a gruelling final four miles, which included the duel with Jean-Pierre in the final mile.

Robinson said: "I kept my (late) mum in mind all the time and I felt privileged to wear the Ethiopian colours. The first nine miles were six-minute miles; going through 10K in 36:30."

He was pleased to have moved up from 15th place last year to eighth this time and is now resting up as he plans out the rest of his season, with a focus on a return to New York City's Fifth Avenue Mile event in the autumn.