Kavin Smith?s athletic success has paid off for him and Agape House.

The veteran long-distance runner?s recognition as the first annual Triangle Toner Athlete of the Year has earned him and the hospice for terminally-ill people each $500 from an occupational preventative health company, Health Tech Renaissance Limited,

President of Health Tech Delcina Bean-Burrows said the thinking behind this incentive was that it would be ?in keeping with our mission of promoting good public health?.

?With the population growing older, exercise and healthy-lifestyle practices will be very important. What you do now will pay off later,? she said, adding that their first choice ?was relatively easy?.

??Kavin is a great example of longevity in sport, being competitive at an older age. It shows you don?t have to retire when you get to 30.

?He has represented himself, his sport and Bermuda in an exemplary manner and we are happy to recognise his hard work.?

Smith, pictured, who has proven to still be among the Island?s elite runners despite losing his Marathon Derby crown in May to Terrance Armstrong, recently placed in the top hundred of both the Chicago and New York marathons, both of which boasted more than 30,000 competitors.

In winning this prize, the 37-year-old was asked to choose a local charity to which Health Tech would match his cash award with a donation in his name and he opted for Agape House.

?I don?t have any personal connection with Agape but, when you look at the purpose which they serve, I think it?s a worthy place and they can?t have enough funds coming their way,? he noted.

As for his selection, Smith expressed surprise but gratitude, terming it ?encouraging to see a Bermudian firm taking an interest in giving a little perk to the community through an athlete?.

?To be the first picked, it?s wonderful and all my thanks go out to them,? he said.

Apart from cash, Smith will receive a year?s supply of Triangle toner skincare products and a small stipend whenever he competes in the 2004-2005 season.