yesterday.

And as Smith accepted his prize for winning the Pure Water 10K road race in 32 minutes and 48 seconds, Mike Watson was passing the National Sports Club on a training run -- adding further speculation as to who will be at the starting line in three weeks.

Watson did not run in the Pure Water race, but everyone remembers how he came back to capture the Derby crown in 1991 after his previous victory in 1987.

Brett Forgesson, who clocked 33.49, placed second behind Smith yesterday, with Tracy Wright taking third spot. Wright ran the course in 34.25.

Smith still holds the record for the fastest time on the present May 24 course and appears to be in tremendous shape. Yesterday's race was just part of a 20-mile training run. Before his strong victory he ran to the course from his home in Somerset.

His winning time was just under Forgesson's time of 32.30 set last year, but after fitting in 14 miles just prior to the race it was outstanding.

Top three yesterday could well be top three this month in the Derby classic, but missing was Kevin Tucker. Tucker has made a comeback this year after a break following his second place finish to Forgesson last May.

Tucker was actually second behind Forgesson in last year's Pure Water race and last weekend a runaway winner in the Round the Sound 7.2 mile race with the fastest time of 41.15. This was almost five minutes ahead of the second placed runner who just happened to be Jennifer Fisher. Tucker may not have run with the top three yesterday, but his fitness level appears to be the same as it was last year.

There were 126 runners who completed the Devonshire loop course starting and finishing from the National Sports Club, and predictions ran true to form.

Fisher, clocking 37.31, continued her lengthy unbeaten race streak by just pipping Maria Conroy Haydon by 12 seconds in the women's division. Julia Hawley was in third place with a time of 39.46, and one of only 25 runners to dip under 40 minutes. Hawley, who was third in last year's May 24 and has been concentrating on running rather than triathlons, should be a force to be reckoned with later this month.

Two of the Island's top female runners, Sandra Mewett and Karen Adams, were absent yesterday.

Although a minute or so separated the top three yesterday, Gary Kelson showed he has lost little speed by finishing just 10 seconds behind Wright in fourth place. Frankie Rodrigues, who was in seventh place in 36.28, is a relatively new name on the scene and now regularly making top ten.

Laura Turner had a spectacular victory in the women's Under-19 division -- over 13 minutes ahead of second placed Freedom Trott. Conroy Haydon took honours in the 20-39 age group with Hawley, followed by Lesley Caslin. Caslin is another runner who has steadily improved over the last couple of years.

Jane Christie had an easy win in the women's 40-49 division, with Maria Duffy taking second and Barbara Clemens third. Peggy Couper continues to run fast races and won the women's Over-50 division.

Kris Hedges was 54th overall and first in the men's Under-19 division.

Forgesson won the men's 20-39 division with Tracy Wright in second place, followed by Gary Kelson in third.

Harry Patchett was chased by Rod Allen in the men's 40-49 division, but won by under half a minute. Roderick Bassett took third spot. In the men's Over-50 division Giorgio Zanol took honours ahead of Mike Rickards, followed by Malcolm McAvoy. McAvoy has improved tremendously over the last year following a lengthy layoff with injury.

This race was the 11th in the KPMG Peat Marwick National Road Running Series and with just four races left, runners are being ever more competitive since places for the Falmouth Road Race at Cape Cod, Massachusetts in August are at stake.

Visitors Susan Ranidin and Patrick Hagan were clocked at 44.37 and 45.24 respectively to win a special prize for first runners in that category. Debbie Graham and David Yates each won a Pure Water cooler as draw prize, and water was on the mind of many runners as the humidity began to creep in, acting like a harbinger for this month's traditional steam bath.

Photos by Tamell Simons KAVIN CLICKS -- Kavin Smith's stunning comeback in recent weeks has made him the overwhelming favourite for this year's Marathon Derby. Tracy Wright, above, trailed Smith during yesterday's Pure Water 10K, a position many runners have had to get used to lately. Wright finished in third spot behind Brett Forgesson while Maria Conroy Haydon, right, finished in second place as Jennifer Fisher won the women's division.