Those would appear to be the two favourites for this month's Marathon Derby title in the absence of defending champion and record holder Kavin Smith who will miss the popular holiday race because of personal commitments which have kept him off the roads for most of the season.

Smith, a four-time Derby winner (1993, '95, '96 and '97), confirmed recently that he would not be competing this year, leaving the way open for the likes of Donawa, Wright and possibly former winner Brett Forgesson to lead the men's contenders.

Among the dark horses are Mike Watson, another four-time winner, Kevin Tucker and Jamal Hart, though Watson says he hasn't made up his mind whether he will compete this year.

And even if he does, he doesn't think he will be a serious contender. But then Watson said the same thing in 1991 before romping to a convincing victory.

Having just turned 40, Watson plans to concentrate more on Masters track events this year.

"May 24th has never been a total commitment to me,'' he insisted this week.

"Track, that's more my joy. My biggest problem is I don't run 100 miles a week and I haven't done that in years.

"Off-hand I don't even want to bother with May 24, I want to go ahead and concentrate on competing in the Outdoor Masters Championships and stick to track and field.

"On the other hand I want to go out and have some fun. But I'm not putting in the type of miles that would make me a serious challenger. To be honest I have just been doing 800 metres training.'' Watson expects the title will go to either Donawa or Wright, a consistent top five finisher in the last decade. Wright had his only win in 1990 while Donawa is still chasing that elusive first title.

"On paper, Jay and Tracy are the only two I see out there doing anything,'' said Watson.

"If Kavin was in the shape he normally could get into, I don't think anybody would beat him. He would have been my pick but I think he would have been heavily challenged by Tracy and Jay.'' Since his victory eight years ago, Wright has finished fourth, third, fourth, third, second and second again last year after missing the 1996 event.

On the women's side, there are also only a handful of contenders with injury ruling out would-be favourite Karen Adams, who has won for the past two years.

Maria Conroy Haydon, who has rarely raced in the last year but is now reported to be back in shape, and Lynn Patchett, appear to be the best bets.

But a dark horse may be veteran Jane Christie who finished second behind Adams last year and is currently running as well as she has in the past five years, having beaten Patchett in the Maple Leaf 10K just last Sunday.

JAY DONAWA -- chasing his first May 24 title.