While many of those taking part in the annual Marathon Derby aim merely to finish, leading local runner Kavin Smith has much loftier ambitions for Monday's race.

Hampered in the past by injuries and other personal commitments, Smith has his sights set on establishing a new record and anything short of that would be considered a failure.

"My fitness and confidence is up to par and I'm looking to run close to the record,'' said Smith, whose bid was halted last year by a sprained ankle suffered in training. "My goal is to break the record and I'll be disappointed if I don't.

"Even if I don't win, but still run under the record I would be satisfied.'' The mark to which Smith refers is the one hour, 11 minutes and 49 seconds clocking recorded by former champion Tony Ryan in 1988, after the route was altered -- Mike Watson has the best time of 1:09:58 in 1987, but on a shorter course.

Kevin Pearson, the 1983 winner, has the best time over the old course, which ended at the National Stadium (13.3 miles), of 1:12:22.

Those who scoff at such brashness coming from the 26-year-old would do well to note how Smith ran three races -- Bank of Butterfield Mile, ADT Bermuda 10K and ADT Bermuda Marathon -- on consecutive days during January's International Race Week.

And not only did the Bermudian finish each race. After placing second in the mile race, Smith was the first local across the line in the remaining two, including a stunning performance on his first attempt at the full marathon distance, where he was second overall to American Robert Yara in 2:37:45.

Victories in several other local road running events followed and after running the last leg for Trevor T's Team in this past Sunday's End to End Relay said it was all a matter of "fine-tuning for Monday.'' "My times are where I want them to be and I'll go out to have a fast race. So if anybody is going to win they'll have to be fast.

"It's my distance. I get more comfortable after six miles and my training has been orientated for strength over the longer distance.'' Smith said his source of motivation is running quick times and not necessarily winning, even though many Bermudians look at winning the Derby as the crowning glory for a local runner.

His best showing in the event came in 1988, when he was second to Tony Ryan in 1:13:59. He is also a former junior champion.

"It's a race where everybody takes note,'' said Smith. "Whoever wins the race people will say is the best runner, even if it's not a particularly good time.

"I've already established myself and have nothing to prove. Plus the event doesn't really offer anything tangible.'' College students Jay Donawa and Terrance Armstrong were mentioned by Smith as possible threats, but both have indicated that they are concentrating on running track and not looking to mount a challenge.

Reports are that Armstrong will jog alongside his brother Edwin, while earlier this week Donawa said that he will not be attempting the distance.

This leaves Mark Perry and another former winner Tracy Wright in the role of challengers.

Perry has been bothered by sore knees throughout most of the current season, however this has not prevented him from leading the KPMG Peat Marwick Road Running Series over Brett Forgesson and Smith.

He is faster over the shorter distances, but his endurance and ability to cope with the heat on the longer runs has come into question.

Wright's fitness may not be where he needs it to make a major impact on the outcome after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury a few weeks ago, which curtailed his preparations.

Not to be overlooked is Acorean Antonio Correia, who was invisible for most of last year, but certainly came to light with a strong second place finish behind Errol Cormack.

TIME FOR A NEW RECORD? -- Kavin Smith is planning to run full tilt at smashing former champion Tony Ryan's Marathon Derby record of 1:11:49.