The signs are there! Brothers Larry and Lamont Marshall have the potential to become two of Bermuda's leading road runners.

Top 10 finishes for the two teenagers in the Island's premier race, last month's May 24 Marathon Derby, demonstrated their athletic talent.

Now all that remains to be seen is whether they stick with the sport.

On that score, Larry, who at 19 is the older of the two teens, says his ambition is to one day represent Bermuda at major international events.

But 17-year-old Lamont claims at this point in life he's only running for fun.

The two do agree, however, that they are still some way from challenging the likes of Kavin Smith, Jay Donawa and Tracy Wright.

But with a little more work, they believe they could both improve in time for next year's Derby.

This year, Larry crossed the finish line fifth in a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 11 seconds while 17-year-old Lamont was close behind, finishing ninth in a time of 1.23.20. Eight-time winner Smith triumphed again in 1.13.17.

The youngsters say they both realise that they need to train more in order to reel in Smith and other top runners, but the big question at this stage is: do they have the intensity and desire to meet that challenge?

Larry appears to have greater aspirations, revealing that his aim is to do well in both road running and track and field, using any success he enjoys in the sport to land a scholarship at a university or college in the United States.

That goal, he says, provides his inspiration.

"This was my third Marathon Derby, all have been run between 1.19 and the 1.23 over the new course this year," he said.

"To run and keep the top runners in sight is fine, but my main goal is to continue to improve my times on both the road and in track events," added Larry, who intends to be more aggressive over the 13.3 mile course next year.

"Naturally I am more anxious to make progress in track where my favourite event is the 5,000 metres. If I can get a track scholarship and get away to school then obviously I will have to concentrate on that alone. But at this stage I am content to compete in both."

Larry admits that in order to progress he will have to make sacrifices and up his training schedule.

With father, Larry senior, supervising most of his training sessions, he feels he's in good hands and won't be allowed to stray too far from his objectives.

"I am pretty much committed, but I need to get more focused and dedicated, that's for sure. I basically want to be a world class athlete whether it's in track or road running. In fact, following the Marathon Derby my next big race is the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta next month. I'm excited about running abroad,'' he said.

"My goal is to do the right sort of training which means putting in more mileage during the days. I'm talking about a combination of road work and hard sessions at the National Sports Complex. I'm setting goals and I intend to strive to meet them.''

Meanwhile, the younger Lamont, while undoubtedly as talented, has no such goals, declaring that his ambition is "to do well in the marathon" and concentrate on middle distance running alone.

In fact, since last month's race he has not run at all, unlike his brother who continues to put in several miles of training on a weekly basis.

"I'm definitely not as involved as Larry, not nearly as serious," admits Lamont. "It was my second Marathon Derby and I finished one place ahead of my tenth place a year ago, so I am making progress.

"I really love that race, the spectators and the interest the event generates gets me hyped up but I have no real ambitions as a runner right now. I may come out and enter the International Race Weekend 10K next year, but that only remains a possibility right now.

"Larry is the one who is seriously involved, he is fitter than me, I don't like to train like him. I'll go out and put some miles in about a month before the race, and that's about it."