Kavin Smith sent an ominous warning to his May 24th challengers yesterday, cruising past most of the field in a ten-miler despite conceding a ten-minute headstart.

The local king of the road finished 11th overall in the BermudaJOBS.com Ten Mile Road Race in one hour, 3.59 minutes but ? allowing for his handicap ? his time was really 53.59 minutes; easily bettering every other runner except winner and Smith's arch-rival Jay Donawa.

As Smith's participation was a charity gesture which raised $555 for YouthNet ? five dollars for each of the 111 competitors he overtook ? he was not listed among the official finishers though everyone took notice of his stellar showing.

Meanwhile, Donawa clocked an impressive 52.54 minutes as both men geared up for their respective significant bids at the May 24th Marathon Derby ? Donawa seeking his first victory while Smith looks to celebrate a decade of success

"Jay is looking for his first victory and I want number ten. My desire is just as great. Getting number nine last year has caused me to focus more on my running," said Smith.

"Before that, I was just going with the flow for many years; you know whatever happens, happens.

"But ten is a decade and it's a better number than nine. Nine is kind of incomplete. To win ten would be great and then I could focus on what I want to do otherwise,"

The 37-year-old is anticipating another bold challenge from Donawa and overseas-based Bermudian Terrence Armstrong both of whom he overhauled half-way through last year's Derby.

"I hope both come back with that competitive attitude that we runners have. It's all about competition and fun trying to outdo each other," he continued.

"I'm looking forward to a good race. If it's fast with good times then, whoever comes out on top, no-one can be disappointed. That's the key ? that we all run well."

Donawa acknowledged the annual road-running showpiece is going to be "a tremendous challenge" and the perennial runner-up hopes his hard, steady training finally reaps dividends.

More important than the thrill of yesterday's victory, he noted, was his time ? which exceeded expectations ? and what the performance signalled.

"I'm really pleased. I was trying to run about 53.20 (minutes) and I ended up running 52.54 so that's a bonus," the 31-year-old told

"It's hard being out front on your own but I just had to keep pressing myself. I'm really satisfied to run this considering what I have been doing training-wise.

"I trained hard all week so I was fatigued and that gives me a lot of confidence knowing that once I start resting up (for races) I'll have even more energy."

American visitor Michael Scythes, 46, placed second in 57.57 minutes while Steve Donnelly was third in 58.48 minutes. The former, who is preparing for a marathon in California, was satisfied to achieve his goal of going under 59 minutes.

Yesterday's race organised by Mid Atlantic Athletic Club (MAAC), which began and finished outside the Botanical Gardens on South Road, was also a huge success for YouthNet, the public school-based mentoring programme.

Thanks to an agreement between the new race sponsors and Smith, BermudaJOBS.com donated $5 for each competitor whom the long-distance ace passed to YouthNet.

Vice president of BermudaJOBS.com Simon Turner explained the company wanted to be involved with a community event and the initiative with Smith added to the interest.

And the top runner said he was pleased to help raise funds in this novel manner.

It was "good fun" he noted as many runners fancied an "an opportunity to beat me".

"I know a lot of people were running scared. I guess it was like a stalker running behind them," he quipped.

One of those "running scared" was top female athlete Anna Eatherley, 40, who had been joking with Smith about whether she would 'beat' him or not. The first woman to complete the course finished just ahead of Smith ? tenth overall ? in one hour, 2.52 minutes.