Race Weekend.

Smith, the first Islander over the finishing line in the half-marathon last year, has refused to reveal which event he will enter this weekend.

"I haven't even registered yet. I'm preoccupied,'' said Smith.

In recent weeks, Smith has said he might enter both Saturday's 10K and Sunday's half-marathon, but has never indicated on which race he would concentrate.

By registering late, he may be buying time to weigh up the opposition and gauge where his best chances lie.

In the annual half-marathon last November, Smith set a new Bermuda record. It was one of six road race victories he enjoyed in 1998.

And he started off this year by winning the 7.2-mile Princess-to-Princess race in 37 minutes, 49 seconds.

But Smith failed to show for last Saturday's CAC national cross-country trials, won by Jay Donawa. And it wasn't known last night whether he would appear for today's final trial, from which Bermuda's five-man team will be selected.

The CAC championships are scheduled for next month.

Smith's training partner and friendly rival Donawa has signed up for the 10K, in which he was the first-placed Bermudian last year.

And Tracy Wright, the third local to finish last year's 10K in a time of 35:01, is again expected to do well this year.

Wright has signed up for the 10K and the half-marathon, but has not yet decided which he will treat as his main event.

He showed good form in the Princess race, finishing second to Smith in 39:31.

But Wright, winner of last year's Marathon Derby, has other priorities, as he is three weeks into his training schedule for the Paris marathon in April.

In this Sunday's Bermuda marathon, Brett Forgesson will be looking to defend his title as the first local finisher -- but he will be aiming for a quicker time.

Forgesson, who ran two hours, 45 minutes and 41 seconds last year, said: "I didn't think I had a particularly good run, compared to what I'd done in previous years.'' Former Commonwealth Games marathoner Forgesson was also first local over the finishing line in 1996 (2:38:40) and 1997 (2:41:00).

Training has been going well for Forgesson, who admitted: "It's hard to keep running over the Christmas period, but when you're training for a marathon, you can't afford to take a break. It's got to be mind over matter.'' His wife, Anna Eatherley, will be among the favourites for first resident in her chosen event, the 10K, especially as the winner of that title last year, Maria Conroy Haydon, will be absent.

Conroy Haydon, who ran 39:42 last year, has been back in light training for just a week after being forced to rest for two months because of tendonitis in the ankle.

Eatherley has also signed up for the half-marathon, fresh from her victory in last November's annual event over the 13.1-mile distance in 1:24:29.

Eatherley won seven road races on the Island in 1998 and started off 1999 in the same vein, winning the Princess in 44:46.

Karen Adams, winner of the local women's mile race last year in 5:21.7, nine seconds clear of Lynn Patchett, will be looking to defend her title on Friday night.

"Everyone will probably peg me as the favourite, but I never like to predict,'' she said.

"It depends on who's entered what races. Anna (Eatherley) and Lynn (Patchett) are always strong.'' Adams spent the Christmas holidays in the UK, but was able to keep up her training. She has also signed up for the 10K, in which she was the third-placed resident last year in a wind-blighted race she would prefer to forget.

"I did not enjoy that race, I just didn't feel great from the beginning.

Whether I run this time depends on how I feel on the day,'' added Adams.

By last night, the number of entrants for the three major races had swollen to 1,264, 379 for the 10K, 319 for the half-marathon and 566 for the marathon. Of those, 520 were from charity groups.

Entry list, see Pages 38 and 39 .