Smith and Maria Conroy Haydon, depending on her fitness, as the favourites for the men's and women's titles in tomorrow's Elbow Beach Half Marathon.

The 13.1-mile event will begin in St. George's at 9 a.m. and take the runners to the Elbow Beach beach terrace via South Shore road. There is a draw prize for all finishers of a round trip airline ticket for two to Scottsdale, Arizona, with accommodation at the Wyndham Paradise Valley Resort Hotel, courtesy of Delta Air Lines and Elbow Beach. The prize is worth about $3,000, which makes it one of the best in local road racing.

As well, there is a $250 travel voucher for the male and female winners with complimentary weekend stay at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia.

While the second-place male and female finishers will receive $150 worth of sporting goods and a weekend for two at Elbow Beach. The two third-place finishers in the male and female category will win dinner for two at Spazzizi's.

Wright led the field last year to finish in a time of 1:14:10 with Smith second in 1:15:04. In Wright's absence -- he is competing in the New England Athletics Congress Super Cross-Country Championships at Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island, along with Brett Forgesson, Anna Eatherley and Lynn Kynoch -- Smith has been installed as the men's favourite.

Stephen Caines and Manuel Lopes, who ran sub 2:40 marathons in New York recently, look like being Smith's main challengers along with Mark Perry, Kevin Tucker and Neil De Ste Croix.

Mewett ran an impressive 1:21:22 last year as she placed seventh overall but she will be missing tomorrow as Conroy Haydon is installed as the favourite though much will depend on her fitness.

Anna Eatherley, who was second behind Mewett and 22nd overall in 1:28:30 will also be missing as Jane Christie, third amongst the women and 24th overall in 1:30:03, looks to be Conroy Haydon's main obstacle along with Karen Adams.

Christie has been competing in cross-country events regularly and looks certain to be a top-three finisher amongst the women while Adams can never be counted out even though she is stronger over the shorter distances.

Late entries were held over until 8 p.m. yesterday and more than 100 participants are expected. Last year, 67 runners started the race and 66 finished.