Six-time Bermuda Marathon Derby champion Ed Sherlock is backing nephews Lamont and Larry Marshall to topple current champion Terrence Armstrong from his throne this year.

The 76 -year-old runner from Southampton admits beating Armstrong will be no easy task, but thinks the Marshall brothers have what it takes to achieve what no other runner has managed to do in the past three years.

“I am going to stick my neck out for them because these boys have come a long way,” Sherlock said. “But it could be a toss up between Armstrong (Terrence), Donawa (Jay) and the Marshall brothers while you can’t leave out Kavin (Smith) — he will be right up there in the running.”

The Hall of Fame inductee took his rightful place in Bermuda Marathon Derby immortality by becoming the first runner to win the race five years in succession — a feat equalled in 2003 by Smith who has again opted to keep a low profile leading up to this year’s race.

With grandson Quinton jr competing for the first time and the potential there for the Marshall brothers to become the first set of siblings to finish first and second in the race since Virgil twins Neil and Neville achieved the feat in 1964, Sherlock has added interest in tomorrow’s running spectacle.

“One of the Marshall brothers has a really good chance of winning although I think Lamont is a bit stronger. And if they can finish first and second then that will be a bonus for the family. They may not be twins, but they are close enough in age,” he said.

Sherlock isn’t competing in this week’s race, but has instead passed the torch onto grandson Quinton jr — a well-known golfer and Southampton Rangers cricketer.

“I have been training my grandson because he wants to experience the race for himself. He just wants to get the feel for the atmosphere, but next year I am going to put him through his paces,” the veteran runner smiled.

Sherlock, currently plagued by a slight groin and hamstring strain, also has big plans for himself next year.

“I started training last February and I am not going to stop,” he declared. “And if I can stay healthy until next year this time, then you will see me at the starting line.”