rest.

But the end result was no different from any other event in which Smith has competed over the last two years. If anything, it was even more convincing -- simply no contest.

The Island's premier distance runner took on 54 four-man teams single-handed in yesterday's annual Deloitte and Touche relay over a new course at Dockyard, and romped to a crushing victory.

While the best of Bermuda's two major road running organisations, Swan's and Mid Atlantic Athletic Club, disappointed by failing to field strong teams, there was no denying Smith's undoubted talent as he galloped over the four 3.2 mile legs -- about the same distance as a half marathon -- to finish in one hour, 12 minutes and 40 seconds.

The fastest any team could clock was a comparatively pedestrian 1:17.40, by a Bank of Bermuda quartet which included former Front Street mile champion Neil Halliday and one-time top junior Barrie King along with Guy Kelly and Ernest Dunphy.

King actually carried them to a team victory on the last leg, overhauling Derek Ming of the Swan's team (Vernon Tankard, Ed Harris, and Darin Dowling) who, although trailing Smith, had held a handy lead over the first three loops.

Rory Gorman of The Loafers (Dennis Emery, Eloy Castroverde and Andrew Doble) also picked off Ming on the last leg to claim second place in 1:18.10. But the day belonged to Smith who hardly broke sweat as he darted to the front from the gun and was never challenged, leading the nearest team by two minutes at the end of the first leg and continually stretching that advantage to the finish.

"It was good to win, but I'd have liked some tougher competition,'' said Smith, who is expected to benefit by several hundred dollars as a result of sponsorship for the event.

The relay was promoted as a fund-raiser for Smith's Olympic challenge next year. And he could put more cash in that kitty this Sunday by running over a new course in the British American (formerly Elbow Beach) half marathon.

The sponsors will reportedly set Smith a fast target -- perhaps a new Bermuda half marathon record -- which, if he can beat, will result in a substantial sum being deposited towards his Olympic quest.

Although Smith took the spotlight yesterday, the lack of strength among other teams made for some interesting competition in the seven categories.

An impressive "Mixed Not Stirred'' line-up of Jennifer Fisher, Anna Eatherley, Eddie Fisher and Brett Forgesson, grabbed mixed division honours, finishing in 1:19.50, 16 minutes ahead of the next mixed team, Police Hockey Club (Joy Kelly, Lisa Lea Ray, Paul Watson and Steve Cosham). Third went to the Piglett Boys -- Peggy Couper, Tom Butterfield, John Wadson and Jim Butterfield (1:38.39).

Swan's Ladies won the four-team female division with Georgia Belboda, Jeanna Jones, Penelope Butterfield and Sherry Wade clocking 1:31.00.

Berkeley's flying foursome of Damon Ming, Jelani Scott, Trace Easton and Garron Wilkinson led home the secondary schoolboys in 1:22.45, while the Warwick Academy Wonders of Gavin Manders, Lawson Williams, Rene Della Pagione and Arnario Shillingford not only prevailed among the primary schoolboys but also won the end-of-race draw prize -- four all-expenses paid trips to Antigua for a West Indies cricket Test match next year.

Kavin Smith and Jennifer Fisher chalked up another couple of victories as the senior cross country series continued over a loop course at Spittal Pond on Saturday.

Smith did just enough to win, pipping Errol Cormack into second place by a mere second. Smith clocked 32.59 for the approximate five mile course while Cormack was timed in 33.00. Tracy Wright took third in 33.49.

Fisher won the female event (approximately four miles) in 28.33, followed by Jane Christie (29.12) and Penelope Butterfield (31.25).