again, Kavin Smith has been the shining star of the Bermuda Track and Field Association's cross-country programme this year and can rightly lay claim to the title King of the Road.

He has taken on and conquered all takers -- and at times winning by such an overwhelming margin that one has to marvel how he is able to maintain his momentum and have any incentive to run in races that have become almost a foregone conclusion.

"The competition hasn't been too pressing this year, but I must admit that things went pretty good for me,'' said the modest runner.

Lee Tucker, BTFA Vice President, said: "Kavin's been really outstanding, nobody has been able to touch him. He's taken it all.The final analysis of the cross-country series and the championships haven't been tabulated but the projection is that Smith will be emerge as convincing men's champion.

From the marathon derby to gruelling courses along the South Shore dunes and the winding routes on the roads, Smith has dominated and has clearly earned the right to be declared Bermuda's finest middle distance runner for 1995.

Whatever Smith has entered he's won, but he's done that before.

The interesting thing about this year is that he has been far more active than he has in the past, the only cross-country he has not won was an event he missed because he was abroad.

"I must admit I've run a lot this year, it's a while since I have done so many cross-country events,'' he noted.

Next year will be a difficult one for Smith who must also find time to work towards finishing his house while also attempting to prepare to qualify for various international events, including the Olympics.

"The house is a priority but I don't want to put aside my preparations for running, it's tough but I will work at both,'' said Smith.

January will be a hectic running month for the runner who hasn't committed himself to which events he will enter but he will be involved in the International Race Weekend--probably in the Bank of Butterfield Front Street Mile and the 10k.

After that comes the CAC Cross-Country championships in Mexico with plans currently afoot to assembly one of Bermuda's best teams for the event, a team headed by Smith and expectedto include college students Jay Donawa and Terrence Armstrong.

If the team finishes among the top three they will qualify for the World Cross-Country Championships to be held in South Africa in March.

Smith likes the prospects of such an elite team and fancies their chances. "A team like that sounds pretty good, we will indeed have a chance with Jay and Terrence involved,'' he said.

It's not being realised that Smith is always working feverishly on the track and National Stadium with his mind set on qualifying for the Olympics.

At 7.10a.m. each work day he and training mate Colin Swan are there going through their workouts that mainly feature speed routines, Smith deciding to leave his road work for purely base running.

There is plenty to Smith's preparations, more than the public envisions, but he appears to be relishing the big challenges ahead that forces him now to also focus on running track once again.

One thing in his favour now is that the BTFA are now solidly behind him with joint attempts being made to get him involved in many meets overseas where competition against elite runners will enhance his chances of meeting stiff qualifying times.

KAVIN SMITH