crown next month.

Kavin Smith, winner of last year's race after a thrilling duel with Tracy Wright, said yesterday he would not compete in this year's International Race Weekend and has also ruled himself out of the CAC Regional Cross Country Championships to be held in Bermuda on February 12.

"Nope, no running for me,'' said Smith yesterday. "I'm too busy. I've got personal and work commitments.'' Although not completely a surprise, his absence will certainly deprive organisers of one of the Island's most talented runners in two of the most popular events on the 1995 road running calendar.

Smith captured last year's half marathon in one hour, 11 minutes and nine seconds after reeling in Wright just over two miles from the finish line. He also participated in the Bank of Butterfield Elite Mile, finishing sixth overall in four minutes and 27.2 seconds, but behind Terrance Armstrong, the first Bermudian, who clocked 4:17.8.

It looked as if 1994 was going to be a banner year for the Somerset resident, getting off to a roaring start by winning the Princess to Princess race in 38 minutes and 32 seconds, a minute shy of his personal best and the race record from 1989.

In a disappearing act worthy of Houdini, Smith never followed up on his successes of the new year.

There were rumours that the 27-year-old was unhappy about a perceived lack of support, particularly when it came to getting proper funding. His prolonged absence ruled him out of competing in the Marathon Derby and Commonwealth Games.

Smith said yesterday he was hoping to make a comeback sometime in April, preferring to focus all his attention now on a major renovation project on his new home in Bailey's Bay.

"I've got a goal, but I'm not going to say anything yet,'' said Smith. "It's more toward 1996.'' When asked if that goal had anything to do with the '96 Olympics in Atlanta he said: "That depends on local government, I guess.'' Smith said he made his startling exit from the sport when running and working on his home became an intense burden.

"Let's put it in a nutshell, I have a home that I'm paying for the last three, four years and I've been paying a mortgage,'' said Smith. "I'm just putting all my time in that, I want to get that finished then I can concentrate on running again.'' Determined to finish work on his home, Smith admitted to feeling a tinge of disappointment about not competing in Race Weekend and the cross-country championships.

"I would have loved to have been able to concentrate to run in February, but I just can't keep doing that because I want to get my project finished,'' he said. "On the day (of the half marathon) I'd like to be running but I'll go watch it. But as long as I have a goal, I'll be satisfied.

"After dealing with (running) for 19 years I can't say I miss it too much,'' he added. "I wouldn't say I'm a lover of the sport, to be honest. My motivation has always been my ability. I didn't want to waste the talent.'' An upbeat Smith, when discussing his planned return next spring, sounded a warning to his local rivals: "I generally don't run with the attitude of coming in second.'' Kavin Smith