the first Bermudian to win the ADT Bermuda Half-Marathon yesterday.

The smooth-striding Sandys parish resident produced a remarkable second-half surge over the 13.1-mile course, reeling in early pace-setter Tracy Wright just over two miles from the finish and breaking the tape in one hour, 11 minutes, nine seconds.

Wright held on for second, clocking 1:11:32, with American David Mitzi third in 1:12:27.

Making the victory all the more amazing was the fact that Smith had stopped to talk to his coach, Duncan Newby, at Brighton Hill on South Shore yet was able to not only retrieve lost ground, but also go a step further.

"I stopped and had a word with my coach and told him that I was feeling a bit heavy,'' said Smith, who found it hard to sleep the night before, not because he was nervous about the race, but because of the endless whining of cats outside his window.

"I had plans to go out and have fun and if I felt good at six I would go for it.

"I spotted a pack ahead and went after them, but I didn't know where I was position-wise. I was totally comfortable all the rest of the way.'' Indeed, there was Smith at the finish line, bounding about, congratulating others, not nearly resembling someone who had logged close to 20 hard-fought miles over the three-day weekend.

Wright had been part of a trio also containing Mike Watson and unofficial runner James Lawson of the United States, which darted to the front from the start, going through the first mile in five minutes and the second in around 10 minutes.

A 20-yard gap was created between Watson and Wright with Smith a non-factor at that stage, however, the situation would soon change drastically.

Paying for his fast start was Watson, who was left for dead by Wright at St.

Patrick's Church and would eventually withdraw nearing Barker's Hill.

Wright was now left to run blind, unaware of the scenario unfolding several yards behind.

Once again becoming a factor was Lawson as he jumped back into the proceedings near John Smith's Bay, pacing alongside new second-place competitor Mitzi.

Lawson caused anxiety among officials when it appeared he was aiding Mitzi by breaking the strong breeze for the latter as the pair headed along Harrington Sound Road, while Wright was left to fight the effects of Mother Nature on his own.

However, this was soon rectified and whereas previously Mitzi had been steadily gaining on the local, he now faltered and lost ground, to be reeled in by Smith and his accompanying pack at Tynes Bay.

It appeared merely a matter of time before Wright was hooked, but he fought valiantly, conserving on the inclines and accelerating downhill.

Still, his moment of defeat had come...and he knew it.

"It (runnning from the front) was a little difficult, but I thought that if I kept an even pace maybe nobody would catch me until (after) the finish line,'' said Wright, pleased despite being second best.

"I knew Kavin was out there somewhere.

"I was going more for time, a 1:09, but the wind held me up a bit on North Shore.'' Smith grabbed the lead for the first time at Point Mart, but Wright responded and moved ahead again, unwilling to relinquish the banner he had carried for so long.

Another burst near Fairylands extinguished whatever fire remained in the belly of Wright, leaving Smith to glide home unopposed for the final mile.

"I was telling Tracy, `Let's go, don't let me beat you, keep pushing','' said Smith. "We train together sometimes and I tried to encourage him to do well.'' The winning time was almost a minute slower than James Lauck's 1:10:25 in the inaugural race last year, but no less satisfying for the Bermudian.

Meanwhile, Canada's Lisa Harvey was over a minute ahead of her nearest rival among the women, compatriot Noeleen Wadden.

Coming from the northern winter wonderland the pair were unfazed by the frigid conditions, clocking 1:21:47 and 1:23:07 respectively, with Harvey ninth overall and Wadden 10th.

Debbie Butterfield was a surprise third in 1:26:40, good for the 24th spot overall.

"I found the going quite smooth, there were a lot of people around me to run with,'' explained Harvey. "It was more of a training run as it was my first time doing the distance and it was just a fun Sunday run for me.

"I think the event and the local people are great and I really had a fun time. I intend to be back next year.'' PHOTO HOW SWEET IT IS -- Kavin Smith gives the victory sign after crossing the finish line in 1:11:09 yesterday.