Four-time Marathon Derby champion Mike Watson is backing defending champion Chris Estwanik to join the elite group of multiple winners when the 100th edition of the race takes place on Monday.

The former middle-distance track runner says he hasn't seen any indication from the challengers for Estwanik's crown to convince him that any of them are ready to mount a serious attempt for the title.

And he went as far as to say the real race will be for second.

Watson, who won in 1984, '85, '87 and '91, notes that in the women's race it should be a two-way battle between favourite Victoria Fiddick and Front Street Mile winner Kenia Sinclair.

"It looks like Estwanik is the clear favourite," said Watson this week. "The big race is going to be behind him, unless Tyler (Butterfield) is running a lot better than he did in the Sir Stanley Burgess race.

"But it looks like Tyler and company will be chasing him. That is where the race will be, between Lamont (Marshall), Jay (Donawa) and whoever else wants to hang in there.

"It won't be a lot of work for anyone commentating about the race.

"I think the second pack of runners will be the real race, that's how I see it.

"As far as the women are concerned, Vicky looks set to win that but there was another female who won the Front Street Mile, Kenia Sinclair, who could also challenge her."

Now in the Masters division (over 40), Watson hasn't decided yet whether he will compete but reckons the past champions who will lace up one more time will have their hands full.

With track and field being his main priority when it comes to racing, he says it won't be a huge miss not to run, although he recognises the historical significance of next Monday's race.

But no one will know until the day if he will be at the start line ready to tackle the course he once called his own.

"I don't know if any of them (past champions) are fit enough to run the full distance, unless you're Kavin Smith," he adds.

"Tracey Wright may be able to go the distance but I don't know if he is in that type of shape, so who knows what the past champions will do on the course. As far as I'm concerned I'm not sure if I'm running or not.

"It is easier to sit on the truck and run my mouth than to actually be out there.

"The only reason most of us will run the race is because of the historical view of the 100th race.

"Because my main focus in my career was international track and field, the Derby wasn't the end all, be all of my career. So whether I run it or not isn't important as to some others.

"I never stopped training. I left racing but never stopped training.

"Recently, I did hit the course and ran a good time for my age in case I do decide to run the race. But if I do run, I will look to compete and not just to be out there."