leaving the remaining field of female runners at the mercy of reigning champion Sandra Mewett.

Tipped by most of the elite female runners as being the one capable of offering a serious challenge to Mewett next week, Conroy-Haydon has been bothered by a hamstring pull received early last month and will not be on the starting line.

"I definitely will not run this year. I got the injury while training; it's better, but it probably would be foolish to go into a race like this,'' said Conroy-Haydon yesterday.

It was a tough decision to make for a runner coming off a great winter season, one that saw her make gigantic strides in road racing.

In the last six months she has achieved more success than at any other time since taking up running seriously about eight years ago after her arrival in Bermuda.

Her biggest feat was being the first local female runner to finish in this year's ADT Bermuda 10-K, recording a personal best of 37.39: Other triumphs came with her wins in the Lindo's five-miler and the Dunkley's Dairy 10-K.

Looking back at some of the success, Conroy-Haydon said: "Yes, it definitely has been a good year for me.'' Her great running form had her looking forward to the Marathon Derby with optimism a month ago, but she realises that sitting it out for the time being is the wisest course of action.

"It's unfortunate because I geared my training for the Marathon Derby. I will miss it, it's quite upsetting.'' Conroy-Haydon actually made her debut in the prestigious race a year ago, placing fifth in the women's category in a time of 1:26:48 behind Mewett, Karen Adams, Anna Eatherley and Jane Christie.

Although all of the runners who beat her last year will be running again with the exception of Adams, Conroy-Haydon was expected to be Mewett's main challenger as a result of her long string of local triumphs.

Eatherley and Christie agreed that if there was anyone to press the champion, Conroy-Haydon would be that individual.

"Sandra will be tough to beat. In addition to being a fine runner, she also knows the course quite well. I think Karen would have offered a good challenge if she was running,'' said Conroy-Haydon.

Had she been fit, Conroy-Haydon said she would have expected to cover the course under last year's time, trimming her effort down to around 1:23.

Mewett's winning time of a year ago was 1:21:08.

Having scratched for the Marathon Derby, Conroy-Haydon is now looking ahead to challenge the New York Marathon for a second time. Last year she recorded a time of 2:59:58 and is keen to reduce that time in her second attempt.

MARIA CONROY-HAYDON.