when he beat big race rivals Tracy Wright and Brett Forgesson to win yesterday's Evian 10-miler.

Smith, who won May 24 in 1993 in a record time of 1:11.27, clocked 54:42 in cold, windy conditions along South Shore to lead home 1990 Derby winner Wright (55:00) and current champion Forgesson (55:07) in the traditional testing ground for May 24 aspirants.

Smith, who has just made a return to the local running scene, was in a relaxed mood after a comfortable win, having passed early leader Tracy Wright coming back down McGall's Hill near the eight mile mark. For the next couple of months attention will shift to May 24th and Smith, while not making predictions, will certainly affect the outcome should he run.

"If I can be there I will'' he said. "I can't make any commitments and just take one day at a time and hope my health prevails.'' On yesterday's race he added: "It was nothing special, I was just trying to run as easily as possible.'' Wright, still nursing a cold and recovering from a nagging back problem was not so quiet about the big race in May.

When asked who the favourite was he quickly replied, "Me!'' He continued: "I'm going to go for it -I'm not going to worry about Kavin or anyone else.

"I still want to be number one this year!'' Forgesson who won this race last year over a different course in a faster time is clearly still a factor for May 24. Should these three run true to form, May 24 is already shaping up with the right ingredients for a real thriller.

Kevin Tucker, who finished fourth in 55:42 and was a close second in last year's May 24, was by all accounts taking it easy yesterday and, as the only person in the top four not to have won the Derby, must have great incentive to take honours this year.

In the women's race, winner Maria Conroy-Haydon was 29 seconds off her personal best for the Evian course as she ran home a comfortable winner in 60:59, ahead of Karen Adams (62:31) and Sandra Mewett (64:33).

Conroy-Haydon passed the halfway point in 29:48 and a sub 60 minutes appeared a real possibility, but she slowed slightly in the second half.

"I slowed down between Pink Beach to the seven mile mark, that's where I lost it,'' she said afterwards.

Conroy-Haydon says that she has not yet reached a decision about May. "I've got to decide and I'm going away on vacation in a couple of weeks and may do some races at home.'' She added: "May 24th and me just don't mix but they say the third time is a charm so we'll have to wait and see.'' She had chicken pox for her first May 24th and last year collapsed through dehydration barely one mile from the finish in a race that appeared to be hers for the taking after establishing a massive early lead.

Claire de Ste. Croix took honours in the women's 20-34 age group with 1:11:20 and 54th overall. Jane Christie was an easy winner in the 35-44 age group, almost eight minutes ahead of Alison Nicholl and finishing 46th overall with 1:09:37. Peggy Couper won the women's 45 and over category in similar fashion with 1:11:46 for 56th overall.

Kevin Tucker won the men's 20-39 category with his fourth place overall. Harry Patchett, despite a possible challenge from Leon Matthews, won the men's 40-49 with 56:51 which earned him seventh place overall. Giorgio Zanol was a clear winner in the men's 50 and over category running 1:09:04 for 45th overall.

The Evian race was part of the KPMG Peat Marwick series.

CLEAR WINNER -- Kavin Smith continued his winning return with victory in yesterday's Evian 10-miler.