He has slipped into the Island without fanfare but tomorrow morning Larry Marshall jr is hoping the spotlight will be all his.

Amid the focus on more esteemed competitors, this 22-year-old firmly believes he can create the upset of the Marathon Derby.

Having placed fifth in 2001 and 2002 and 12th in 2003, the talented runner is not only ready to step up to the top spot but thinks that he has developed sufficiently to pose a serious threat to the likes of Terrance Armstrong, Jay Donawa and Kavin Smith.

?I think my chances are really good. I?m in great shape. I?ve had a good season ? injury-free ? so I?m just going out there to have some fun and put my best foot forward.

?I?ve been running in college, doing a lot of 5Ks and competing on the track. I did 14.54 (minutes) for 5,000 metres and that?s a very good time,? said the senior who attends St. Augustine College in North Carolina.

The young Bermudian?s progress on the National Collegiate Athletic Association?s (NCAA) indoor circuit this year has been outstanding.

Among the highlights of his season thus far was the successful defence of his Open Individual Mile title at the Central Inter-Collegian Athletics Association (CIAA) Indoor Championships where he also anchored his college to victory in the men?s medley relay.

At the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) indoor track meet, Marshall won the 5,000 metres in 15.22, at that time a new personal best. A week before that, he had also set a new personal best ? 8.47 ? in the 3,000 metres at the University of North Carolina?s Chapel Hill indoor track and field meet.

Last fall, the rising sensation showcased his versatility with four wins in a seven-race, cross-country series to qualify for the NCAA Division Two Championship.

However, he was sidelined by injury during the 2004 Marathon Derby and watched younger brother, Lamont, defend the family honour with a sterling fourth-place effort.

?We?ve always set a high standard but the ultimate standard is to win it and yes I feel I can win it now. Every race I?m in, I set out to win ,? he said in a confident but not cocky manner.

?It always come down to how you perform on the day and I think my chances are good.?

This time, the elder brother will carry the Marshall banner alone as his sibling ? despite entering ? does not plan to run tomorrow.

?I?m not running. I wasn?t sure if I wanted to run so I registered anyway. I?m concentrating more on track and the half-mile right now so I?m taking this year off,? explained Lamont, whose aim is to snag an athletics scholarship to study overseas.

Meanwhile, 455 runners have signed up for the May 24 race which is expected to be a tight affair as Armstrong seeks a second successive triumph having dethroned perennial champion Kavin Smith in a thriller last year. Donawa ? the six-time runner-up ? is looking for his first win.

The women?s title is up for grabs following reigning champion Anna Eatherley?s declaration that she will be hard pressed to repeat given chronic hamstring woes. Lynn Patchett and Kim McMullen are expected to battle for top honours.

The Marathon Derby will be preceded by cycling?s Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race. Veteran Wayne Scott will defend his title with a tough challenge expected from Garth Thomson.