Kavin Smith is poised to etch his name in Marathon Derby history with a fifth victory in the space of seven years as a field of close to 500 prepares for Monday's May 24 road race.

Unbeaten on every occasion he has chosen to run since 1993 -- Brett Forgesson won in '94 and Tracy Wright last year with Smith absent both times -- Bermuda's undisputed king of the road should, according to the form book, comfortably put another notch on his belt come Monday.

Besides his domination of the Derby, Smith in recent years has set a new Bermuda half-marathon record and remained virtually untouchable over every distance from five kilometres up to the marathon.

But in a race such as this, about to celebrate its 90th anniversary, the heat, humidity and hills have often conspired to thwart the best of athletes.

And Smith will be taking nothing for granted as he attempts to join greats such as Ed Sherlock, Arthur Lambert, Stanley Burgess and Cal Bean as those who have triumphed five times or more.

The enigmatic Cal Hansey won four times between 1969 and 1974 and a brash Mike Watson celebrated his fourth win back in 1991.

Smith could and should eclipse those records when he enters Bernard Park shortly before 11.00 on Monday morning.

His most serious threats appear to come from Forgesson, arguably running as well as he was during his one and only victory in '94, newcomer John Wassenaar, David Dunwoody and, should he decide to run, Jay Donawa, who has still to master the strategy required for a Derby victory.

Others who could challenge for a top 10 place include Sylvester Jean-Pierre, Ronue Cann, Errol Cormack, Luc Laurent, Manuel Lopes, Andre Manders, Mark Perry, Cal Steede, Colin Swan, Vernon Tankard and Sheldon Thompson.

But Smith will be secure in the knowledge that barring disaster, he can beat any of the above with relative ease.

Most pundits agree that Kavin can only be beaten by Kavin -- should he decide to chase the $5,000 cash bonus on offer for the first man to run under one hour, eight minutes and 30 seconds, and buckle under the pressure.

That might allow either Forgesson, Wassenaar or Donawa to make a late charge.

But besides being a hugely talented athlete, Smith is also a fine tactician and it's unlikely, even in search of a new record, he'll run out of gas.

If Smith is hot favourite among the men, Anna Eatherley -- the wife of Forgesson -- is, on current form, almost as sure a bet among the women.

Eatherley, like Smith, has won every race she's entered this year and appears to have too much raw speed for the likes of former winners Maria Conroy Haydon, Jane Christie and even Karen Adams, who although having won in '96 and '97, appears more comfortable over the shorter distances.

Lynn Patchett is another contender, but having only recently recovered from a fractured ankle, isn't expected to force the pace.

The much-improved Georgia Belboda may be the only other female to challenge for a top three finish.

Meanwhile, there'll be plenty of interest in the men's masters division where as many as five runners in their 40s could place in the top 10 overall.

Jean-Pierre looks to have the edge, given his results over shorter distances this year, but Cann, Steede, Tankard, and Van Doyling will all provide serious competition, as will the ever-present Harry Patchett who, despite turning 50 last year, continues to finish consistently in the top five.

Monday's race, over 13.25 miles, starts at 9.30 a.m. from Somerset.

Runners who have not already picked up their numbers must do so today between 3.00 and 6.30 p.m. from Devonshire Recreation Club.

Dominant: Kavin Smith goes looking for a fifth win on Monday.