But for Bermuda's sportsmen and women it has grown into one of the busiest days on the calendar.

Besides the traditional Marathon Derby, which this year attracted close to 500 runners, there is also the Heritage Day cycle classic -- renamed this year the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race -- and the In-Line Skating Association's dash, both of which, like the marathon, follow a route from Somerset to Hamilton.

Meanwhile, out on the water the fitted dinghies launch their season with three races in St. George's Harbour.

Royal Gazette photographers Tony Cordeiro, David Skinner, Arthur Bean and Ras Mykkal were there to capture all of the action.

End of the road: Top athlete Jamal Hart celebrates a fine run in Monday's Marathon Derby as he crosses the Bernard Park finish line in sixth place in a time of one hour, 18 minutes and 59 seconds. Below: Lynn Patchett keeps cool as she races to a fourth place finish among the women. Patchett clocked 1:32:07, running only tow months after having suffered a fractured ankle in training.

Smooth sailing: Willie White and his crew on Port Royal (left) head for the finish line and victory in Sunday's fitted dinghy race for the Heritage Trophy in St. George's Harbour. But Elizabeth (right) with Malcolm Smith at the helm, stole the day's honours, finishing second in this race and first in the other two, for the Anniversary and Masters Cups. The next races are in Granaway Deep on June 6.

On a roll: Taur Caisey led home an enthusiastic pack of roller-bladers in the In-Line Skating Association's annual May 24 race, finishing the Somerset to Hamilton event in 36 minutes and 30 seconds. Second place went to Allan Barker in 37:34 and third place to Elmore Warren in 37:49. Full results, see Scoreboard.

Wheel to wheel: Cyclists in Monday's Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race remain tightly bunched as they head across Somerset Bridge shortly after the start.

Greg Hopkins later broke away to win, dedicating his victory to former winner Packwood who died last year.

CYCING CYC SKATING SKA