Kavin Smith lists himself as a "maybe'', but defending champion Brett Forgesson isn't hiding his hand.

The New Zealander made it clear yesterday he would be on the starting line for the annual Marathon Derby from Somerset to Hamilton on May 24.

And he let it be known that he intends using this Sunday's Maple Leaf 10K in Somerset as a final tune-up for the Island's premier road race which he won last year for the first time.

"Yes I will be running both races, the Maple Leaf and the Marathon Derby,'' he said yesterday.

Forgesson, who didn't take part in the Maple Leaf 10K last year, said he hoped to run "a comfortable race''.

"It's an indicator of one's form going into the May 24th race and everybody will be pushing themselves at different levels depending on their own fitness,'' he said of Sunday's race.

"I didn't run last year because I was in good shape at the time and just wanted to continue my training for May 24th. I was just easing back my training at that stage.'' Forgesson felt that Sunday's field this year could be another sizeable one as the race is a part of the KPMG national series and many runners were still anxious to score more points.

News of Forgesson's participation pleased race director Cal Simons who was last night keeping his fingers crossed in the hope that many of the other top runners, both male and female, would use the event for the same purpose.

A total of 140 runners participated last year and the organising Pacers Track Club expect this year's entry list to exceed that number.

"So far the response has been great. I really think it will be the most formidable field that we have seen in this race in some time,'' said Simons.

Another road race has suddenly been added to the local calendar just four days before the May 24 Derby.

Officers at the USNAS are staging an Armed Forces Day 5K on Saturday, May 20 from Clearwater Beach on the Base.

Entry will be free and the race, starting at 10.00 a.m., will include four categories for both men and women -- under-18, 18-25, 26-35, and over-35.

Forms can be picked up from the NAS gym or Sportseller.

Brett Forgesson