with an emphatic victory in yesterday's Princess to Princess 7.2-mile road race.

Over a minute separated Freary and second-placed Kavin Smith with the former timed in 38 minutes, nine seconds, compared to 39:11 for Smith.

For all intent and purposes the race was over after three miles when Freary produced a surge near the Chapel and Harbour Road junction and Smith did not respond.

"When he surged he didn't just take off but really dug in and pulled away,'' said Smith, who still took the title of first local across the line. "I just said, `Okay, he's gone', turned my hat around and continued on at my own pace.

I wasn't going to challenge him and burn myself out.'' The 24-year-old Freary is on the Island as an entrant in the Bank of Butterfield Front Street Elite Mile this coming Friday. He said that this was a good tune up and gave him an idea of what conditions to expect.

"I felt okay out there, took it easy and just tried to keep a steady pace.

"I didn't really feel any pressure from anyone out there and ran mostly on my own.'' Conditions were not exactly ideal for the 150-odd runners entered, with high humidity and a headwind not particularly conducive to very fast times.

The winning mark was well off the course record of 36:08 held by American David Swanston and while Smith ran faster than he did in placing second last year he was still over two minutes shy of the local record.

Third overall was Tracy Wright (39:45) followed by last year's champion Brett Forgesson (39:58) and Barrie King (40:36).

Ironically Forgesson ran a faster time than in 1992 but wound up three places lower.

"I ran as hard as I could but found the pace tough at the start...it was just too quick for me and I had to drop off,'' said Forgesson who will line up for the ADT Bermuda Marathon next Saturday. "I've been doing mostly distance work and haven't been concentrating much on the short stuff.

"I would like to have run faster but I'm not too upset about it, it's still early in the season.'' Among the women Sandra Mewett and Karen Adams hooked up in a battle for supremacy and as has often been the case Mewett stood taller at the end, winning the event for a record eighth time.

Like the rest, Mewett's time was less than spectacular, her 44:33 well off her course record 41:32.

Adams dropped off the pace nearing the end as Mewett produced a telling final surge, but still managed to clock 45:02. Anna Eatherley was third in 46:23.

"The feeling was not good out there,'' a weary Mewett said. "The conditions were certainly not what I would have preferred.

"I knew she (Adams) was there and kept saying a few prayers so she wouldn't come up and tread on me.'' Mewett indicated that although she is signed up to compete in the marathon if the conditions are similar to yesterday's she may decide not to compete.

"I've suffered too many times in the marathon and if the weather is not good I'm not running.'' Other results had Leon Matthews (41:07) as the top male runner over 40 years of age while Peggy Couper (50:28) took similar honours among the women.

Sheldon Thompson (46:01) captured the junior division (under 20).

PAUL FREARY -- Comfortable victory