needs to make a serious attempt to win Monday's annual Marathon Derby.

Reigning champion Mike Watson, who will not be running this year, yesterday said that out of the present field of runners Perry was the one who had the greatest ablity to win it.

"I don't think there is a clear favourite, but the man with all of the ingredients is Mark Perry. That is if he can deal with it mentally,'' said Watson.

Watson's comments seemed to fire up Perry who greeted the remarks positively and didn't view them as criticism for not being able to accomplish victory in the past.

"It's good news comimg from a great runner like Mike, it definitely gives me more confidence going into the race,'' said Perry who finished seventh last year in a time of 1:16:46 after admitting to have been burnt out because of his attempt to stay with the early leaders.

"I am aiming to be number one this year. I feel good enough to challenge the favourites like Tracy Wright,'' added Perry. "Hopefully I will not ruin my chances by going out too fast again. I intend to run my own race this time.'' Perry's best time over the distance is 1:14:30 when he finished fifth some years ago. It is his highest finish ever in the race.

Although Perry has been inspired by Watson's remarks, Perry realises that he will have to run near his best in order to be successful.

His fitness has been hindered by a twisted ankle prior to the Bermuda ADT 10-K -- an injury that sidelined him for two months and prevented him from entering most of the local road races and cross-country races. But he is satisfied with the progress he has made and is running quite comfortably during training.

While runners like Wright, Errol Cormack, Manuel Lopes and Kevin Tucker are being tipped to do well, Watson said the absence of Kavin Smith made it difficult to pick a clear-cut favourite.

Smith and Brett Forgesson, another who would have been a top contender, are both out with injuries.

Watson expressed the view that young college student Jay Donawa, who is abroad in school, would also have given the field a run for their money had he come home to compete.

He said Kevin Tucker had what it took to be competitive but reckoned the tough course would be a real test for the relative newcomer.

Watson felt that the major factor could be the gruelling course, the heat and the high humidity. "People tend to overlook the fact that, no matter who is the favourite, there are some runners who just can't function under these conditions.'' He added: "Adverse conditions like these have never been a problem to me, I prefer the heat than the cold. But I make sure that I am well prepared going into a race like this.'' He said that a lot of runners put emphasis on mileage more than anything in preparing for the race. But Watson thought that it wasn't a wise approach.

"I've never done high mileage, no more than 40 miles a week for the preparations. I've been successful doing more of what's right than doing what's wrong,'' said the champion.

Quality preparation is required, not quantity,'' he said.

MARK PERRY -- Could have what it takes.