yesterday's 20th anniversary Evian 10-mile road race.

But it wasn't his local rival who turned out to be the main threat.

Instead it was visitor Michael Scythes, 15 years Donawa's senior, who provided the toughest competition on a cool and blustery morning.

Donawa led practically from start to finish to clock 54 minutes, 29 seconds -- more than three minutes outside Mike Watson's best time for a local over the out and back course set in 1984 -- but Scythes, visiting from his home in New Jersey, kept the Bermudian in his sights just about all the way.

At the finish 48 seconds separated the two with 42-year-old Scythes, who used the race as a warm-up for next month's Boston Marathon, finishing in 55.17.

Wassenaar, who beat Donawa over half yesterday's distance in the MRM Five Flat Miles two weeks' ago, and placed second to Kavin Smith in last week's Lindo's 10K, had to settle for third in 56.02.

Smith, who heads off to a training camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico, today, in a bid to qualify for September's Sydney Olympics, skipped yesterday's race.

Fourth place went to Tracy Wright in 56.46 and fifth to former winner Brett Forgesson in 58.11.

Forgesson's wife, Anna Eatherley, ran unchallenged in the women's race, clocking 60.51 -- almost four minutes clear of second-placed Lynn Patchett (64.42), who, like Scythes, is building up towards the Boston Marathon.

Eatherley's time was two and a half minutes outside Sandra Mewett's local record of 58.21.

Jane Christie, first Master (over 40), placed third in 67.39, just ahead of Georgia Belboda (67.56). The improving Annette Hallett took fifth in 68.35.

Yesterday's event, starting and finishing from opposite the Botanical Gardens on South Shore, marked the 20th year it had been sponsored by John Barritt & Sons, and organised by Mid Atlantic Athletic Club's Midge Oliver.

Former Premier and one-time holder of Bermuda's 10-mile record, David Saul, was among those who completed yesterday's race, less than six months after undergoing a serious operation.

Photos by Ras Mykkal Perfect tens: Jay Donawa and Anna Eatherley both led from start to finish to win the respective men's and ladies' Evian 10 mile races yesterday morning.