year ago.

But that was hardly surprising as he defended his Princess to Princess road race title virtually unchallenged on the event's 20th anniversary yesterday.

From the start line at Hamilton Princess to the gruelling climb up to the Southampton Princess in the final mile, Smith dictated the pace, crossing the finish line with a whopping lead of almost two minutes.

His time of 38 minutes, 33 seconds for the undulating 7.1 mile course was 39 seconds slower than a year ago and over a minute shy of the time he clocked when chasing home course record holder David Swanston of England (36.08) in 1989.

But it remained a convincing performance that bodes well for International Race Weekend, just two weeks away, when Smith will reportedly tackle the full marathon.

Perhaps the best race yesterday, in what has become one of the most popular events on the road race calendar, was for second place as a pack of five jockeyed for the runners-up spot.

And it was Kevin Tucker who took that honour as he pulled away to finish in 40.41, seven seconds up on Tracy Wright, making a welcome return to the sport.

Brett Forgesson, currently in training for the International Marathon, took fourth (40.57) ahead of defending local Front Street Mile champ Jamal Hart (41.12).

With last year's Princess winner Jennifer Fisher watching from the sidelines, Karen Adams took full advantage to clinch women's honours, finishing 16th overall in 45.29.

Julia Hawley followed in 47.40 with Jane Christie, the first female master, taking third overall in 48.59.

Among the male masters, Harry Patchett grabbed victory after a battle with old rival Rod Allen. They finished 8th and 9th clocking 43.01 and 43.39 respectively, with Van Doyling in 12th (44.52) taking third in that division.

Second female master was Debbie Butterfield in 50.40 and third Kim Mason (54.47).

Several junior runners showed good form with two in the top 15. Calvert Lee led the under-20 division in an impressive 45.02 (13th) while just two places back in 45.27 was Kris Hedges. Best of the female teenagers was Ashley Couper in 59.20.

In the vets' division (over-50) evergreens Peter Lever and Peggy Couper again dominated.

Lever finished 27th overall in 47.56 and Couper 57th in 52.37.

Racing continues on Saturday with the national cross-country championships at Hog Bay Park in Somerset (9.00 a.m.) followed a week later by the annual Race Weekend (Mile, 10K, Half-Marathon and Marathon). The Race Weekend committee have called a press conference for this Thursday to announce names of the overseas runners flying in.

Photos by Arthur Bean OUT IN FRONT -- Kavin Smith heads for home to record a comfortable win in yesterday's 20th edition of the Princess to Princess Race.

FOLLOW THE LEADER -- (from left) Brett Forgesson, Colin Swan, Tracy Wright, Jamal Hart and Kevin Tucker run together as they battle for second place.

Tucker won that battle with Wright finishing third.

ON TIME -- Female winner Karen Adams checks her watch as she crosses the finish line.

RUNNING RUN