AFTER leading Bermuda’s 19 runners home in last month’s Boston Marathon, Simon Ashby appears to be in the kind of shape that will see him finally break into the May 24 Marathon Derby top ten.He came 13th past year after running 1 hour, 23 minutes, 7 seconds in a performance that eclipsed his previous two outings in the island’s signature running event when he ran 1:33 and 1:31.

Ashby’s improved fitness levels now place him in a higher echelon of Bermuda’s running fraternity. Surprisingly, the 42-year-old only started running in 2000 when he took part in the London Marathon where he ran three-and-a-half hours.

He followed this up with a 3:14 in the New York Marathon.

In 2003 he took part in one of the most gruelling events in the world — the Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara Desert — a sweltering 150 miles running through the desert carrying all supplies and camping out under the stars.

The following year he took part in May 24 for the first time and ran 1:33, which was his first competitive race since the Marathon Des Sables.

“In 2005 I did step up my training but was involved in a bike accident just weeks before the May 24 race. With some grit and determination (and a few pain killers) I still managed to take two minutes off my 2004 time,” said Ashby. “This gave me the incentive for 2006 and I put together a more focused and intense training programme with my other running friends from Mid Atlantic Athletic Club and this paid huge dividends when I improved by eight minutes. I was determined to be in the top 20, so 13th was extremely rewarding.”

In January’s Bermuda International Marathon he set his best time of 2:52. Then last month took part in the Boston Marathon, which was held in some of the toughest conditions for many years as evident by the winning time being the slowest since 1977.

However, that did not stop Ashby from clocking an impressive time of 2:53:35, the only one of the 19 Bermuda entrants to break three hours.

“Boston was an enormous challenge and none of us expected to run in such tough conditions. I was thrilled to be the runner from Bermuda to come in under three hours, but I certainly have been feeling the effects of that brutal day,” he said.

“I have been carrying one or two niggles since the race but could I raise myself again for May 24 and break into the top ten? We shall see and I will certainly give it all I have got.” Ashby says he has no idea why his running has improved so remarkably in the past three years.

“My very good friend and training partner Peter Mills says that I one of the most uncoventional guys he has run with when it comes to training.

“I really have never been regimental in my approach and have always really just gone with how the body feels on a particular day. I am definitely a fighter, very determined and I guess the strength I found in the desert stayed with me since.”

His most satisfying performances have been his personal best in the Bermuda Marathon and the Boston Marathon experience, which he points out: “Some people say is as good as 2.48 considering the conditions,” and the Sahara adventure in the Marathon De Sables.

He can see “any of last year’s top three” winning May 24 this year, but warns that he and a few others in the chasing pack will be pushing as hard as possible to get a look-in.

Once May 24 is out of the way he has promised his wife Sarah that he will take a break and rest his body.

[obox] This Sunday many of the key May 24 contenders are expected to battle it out in the “Sir” Stanley Burgess 5K road race, which starts at the top of Frog Lane and finishes at Devonshire Recreation Club. The course is reputed to be the fastest on the island. Runners will be encouraged to wear a white handkerchief on their heads, which was the tradition of legendary “Sir” Stanley during his running career, which included numerous May 24 victories and more than 50 appearances in the event before he died in 1984. There will be a junior 3K at 8.30 a.m. followed by the 5K event at 9 a.m. Entry forms are available at Sportseller, International Sports Shop and Sports ‘R’ Us and late entries and race number pick-up will be Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Devonshire Recreational Club.