It’s been 43 years since a set of brothers crossed the finish line first and second in the annual Bermuda Day Marathon Derby.

But that could all change should Marshall brothers Lamont and Larry rewrite the history books in this year’s running spectacle.

Virgil twins Neville and Neil were the first siblings to achieve the remarkable feat at the tender age of 19 in 1964, an accomplishment that remains unparalleled to this day.

However, Neville, who broke the tape nearly a half century ago ahead of his brother, feels that the Marshall brothers can equal the mark this year if they can put their heads down and adhere to the game plan.

“You must certainly have a game plan and be able to stick to it. When we ran the race we did so as a team and so it really made no difference which one of us hit the tape first,” the well-known taxi driver said.

“But it’s definitely an honour to achieve it and something that will stick with you for the rest of your life. And I think they are very much capable of achieving it, but it’s now all up to them.”

The Marshall brothers served notice last year when they placed second and third behind three-time champion Terrence Armstrong. And with both having performed consistently in recent months, Virgil is among those who would like to see history rewritten.

“The record has to be broken at some point,” he said. “They have been running long enough and I glory their spirit and intend to call them up to personally encourage them to go ahead and do it.

“To see two brothers competing in the same race always adds colour to the event and they have already made a name for themselves. But it would be nice to see them go one better.

“It’s definitely a once in a blue moon achievement . . . it was like winning the FA Cup. But I give the Marshall brothers lots of credit and encourage them to go for it.”

During their era, the Virgil twins were largely credited for being the first competitors to don colourful attire — complete with their trademark white gloves.

Neil Virgil vividly recalls their memorable one-two finish.

“It was a great feeling and really something considering we were twins and very young at the time. Neville came in first and hit the tape and then turned back around and ran in with me,” he said.

“During those days Ed Sherlock (multiple winner) and Mack Smith and all of those other fellows were running and so we were the underdogs. But when we realised we were in a position to achieve it, we decided to go for it.

“That achievement really put us on the map and helped to lift the race.”