Bermuda's most promising teenage middle-distance runner is quickly learning that being classed as a top athlete locally carries very little weight abroad - especially when you are forced to compete against some of North America's elite.

Larry Marshall, a student at St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina since September, received this message loud and clear recently when he placed 139th out of a field of 200 runners at the College National Cross Country Championships in Ashland, Ohio.

It was a performance that indicated to him that he has a way to go before he is recognised as a prominent competitor on the US scene.

"My ultimate goal is to perform well overseas where we are talking about a different calibre of running, whether its cross country or on the track," said Marshall. "You really have to turn things up a notch and be sharp at all times and I love the challenge.

"My performance at the National Championships definitely proves that I still have a long way to go. You see the difference in the fitness of runners at the international level and hopefully in cross country next year I will be able to get up to where they are.

"Finishing 139th didn't discourage me as the conditions really affected me. It was snowy and cold - actually it was the first time I had seen snow let alone run in it!"

Marshall seemed destined to make headlines as a top runner in Bermuda, especially after a sixth and two fifths during his last three outings in the annual marathon derby.

Those results showed he was on his way to becoming the kind of force capable of challenging the likes of Kavin Smith, Tracy Wright and others in the not too distant future. But he is not content with dominating here.

"Finishing sixth and fifth twice in the marathon here is fine at our standards, but it means very little out there . . .," he said pointing across the Atlantic. "The ultimate goal is to perform well overseas - it's a different calibre and you strive to go higher. You really have to turn things up a notch and be sharp all times which obviously means increasing your training."

Home for the recent holidays, Marshall returns to school to compete in the indoor season which runs from January to March. His aim is to qualify for the Division Two National Championships in Boston in the 5,000 metres and other long distance events.