Even at 77, multiple Bermuda Marathon Derby winner –Ed Sherlock gets butterflies in his stomach.

And come next Monday, the Sports Hall of Fame runner reckons he will have plenty of them as he braces for arguably the biggest race of his illustrious career.

For Sherlock is not running just for himself, but also for those who are no longer amongst us – those who helped make the annual Marathon Derby what it is today.

"It's nice to be around to see the 100th year but I am very sorry some of my colleagues like Arthur (Goo Gip) Lambert and Sir Stanley Burgess are not around to see this. I just thank God he spared my life to see the 100th year," said a streamlined Sherlock.

"I just hope the runners of my era that are still living come out on Monday."

The Southampton resident, who was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 for his road running exploits, won a first Marathon Derby in 1956 and six years later became the first runner to win the event five years on the trot – a record equalled by Kavin Smith in 2003.

Sherlock began preparing for this year's historical race eight months ago and even at his "tender" age has averaged an incredible 45 miles per week, running on the sand dunes at Horseshoe Bay and doing sprints around Southampton Oval.

"I told myself last year I wanted to be ready because this year's race means so much to me," he added. "I just had to get myself in good shape so I run comfortably.

"I'm not trying to be competitve . . . I just want to run comfortably within myself.

I'm up in age now and so I don't run as hard as I used to – but I will be ready for next Monday because I have put in a lot of training over the past eight months and feel fine.

"I have been averaging around 45 miles per week running on the beach.

"I have been practising down at Horseshoe Bay and working on my speed work at Southampton Oval.

"I do about 11 sprints around the field and that helps to keep me in shape.

"When I train I put 100 percent into my preparation. I get addicted to it and I don't like it when it rains – especially on my running days. But even when it rains I still do my exercise inside like running on the spot for an hour.

"I also love to run in the heat. I don't like running in the cool because I love to sweat. When I sweat I feel good. The cool slows me up a bit and that's why I love the heat."

Sherlock also feels good about covering the distance of the –13.1 mile race course, jogging alongside grandson and current Bermuda Junior Golf Association president, Quinton jr.

"Quinton is in pretty good shape.

"We plan to run together if I can keep up with him. But again the race is not for the swift but for those who can endure to the end," he added.

The Senior Masters runner is confident nephew-in-law, Lamont Marshall, will put his best foot forward in this year's race.

"Lamont is in great shape and I wish him all the best," he said. "I think he's going to put in a good showing."