Over the years Jay Donawa has proven he has the stamina and sheer willpower to compete consistently at a high level on the local running scene.

Now the 33-year-old distance runner says he?s inspired to display his heart more than ever ? as a mark of appreciation for one of local sports? most respected figures, Frankie Brewster.

The five-time Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) National Cross-Country champion ? set to lay his title on the line at Astwood Park today ? has dedicated the remainder of the running season to the late Hotels, BAA and Bermuda national team footballer whose death from a heart attack stunned the local sports scene last week.

Brewster had sponsored Donawa for the past eight years.

?Frankie?s passing has been very hard for me because the Pro Shop (Brewster?s business) have generously sponsored me for the past several years and so I?ve dedicated the entire season to his memory,? said Donawa, now gunning for a sixth straight National Cross-Country title.

?They have provided me with all my running apparel over the past eight years and so I?m looking to go out there and honour his legacy as a sportsman. This is what?s on my mind at the moment.?

Donawa, who has won four races of the six-race cross country series, also has another incentive ? catching the eye of BTFA officials.

?Hopefully I can show the BTFA my interest in the sport of track and field so that I can be considered for the NACAC (North and Central American and Caribbean) Cross-Country Championships next March in Orlando, Florida and April?s World Cross-Country Championships in Japan,? said Donawa, now fully recovered from foot surgery earlier this year.

?So hopefully my name can be put forth from a performance standpoint to be considered. I?ve won four of the five race so far. I missed one race because I was travelling overseas at the time.

?But since having surgery I?ve gradually built myself up and my training has been steady. I?ve been using these races to get back into shape and run as hard as I can. And overall I?m feeling really good.?

Today?s championships, beginning at 8.30 a.m., will also see various youth age categories, as well as the men?s and women?s open, masters and senior masters races.