Monday's Marathon Derby.

Smith wants to win but as for a course record, he says: "There's just no incentive.'' Less than five days before one of the most ballyhooed sports events in Bermuda, the defending Derby champion continues to let it be known that he's still troubled by the "mere pittance'' of first prize -- a round trip for one to Newark, New Jersey.

What concerns him is that lesser races reward their winners with far more attractive prizes -- from cruises to family trips -- while the marathon continues to lag behind.

And he makes it clear that whoever wins deserves better for beating what is traditionally the strongest race field assembled locally.

Pressed on whether he can break the record of one hour, 11 minutes and 27 seconds he set in 1993, Smith admits it's unlikely.

"I have trained just as hard for this one as in the past and I am aiming to win the race, but that's all. There is no incentive to do anything other than try and win,'' said Smith.

"Give me a reason to run hard for the record. I hope it's not hot, I hope the humidity is down and I hope those guys don't have to make me run too hard,'' said the 30-year-old champion.

"I also hope that race organiser Mr. Richard Tucker has thought over the fact that everybody feels that the prize is low and that he will come forth and put something decent up for the winner. Also, I would like to see decent prizes given to the second and third place finishers.'' Tucker has already publicly taken exception to Smith's stand, claiming that his organisation does not make the huge amounts of money that some, including Smith, believe.

Tucker said the marathon committee were willing to sit down with Smith and outline their expenses.

But Smith says he wants no part of such a meeting, having had previous exchanges with the committee when he had to haggle over his first prize.

"You can call it an air ticket, but it has also been part of a ticket to Newark,'' said Smith. "It's frustrating when you are given a letter saying that you are the recipient of a ticket to Newark and then go to the travel agency to make plans only to learn that it's for half the value of a ticket.

"I recall going to the committee, Mr. Tucker sending me to committee member Mr. Berwyn Cann and eventually discovering that in their view I was lucky to get what I did.

"So I am not about to meet with them again and go through that routine. I have been running for 20 years and have seen sponsors coming forward in other races. I just can't see how sponsorship cannot be obtained from businesses like the airlines, especially at this time of year.

"In the Caribbean the airlines are major sponsors, they strive to get their names involved in events such as this and consequently help to create attractive prizes.

"In the marathon we are talking about the biggest single event on the Island, even bigger than Cup Match, and I can't honestly see how the committee maintain that they can't get sponsorship.

"If the corporate sector can be persuaded to support the smaller races throughout the year why can't similar support be found for the marathon. I can go on and on about this. They talked about breaking the record, I went and did it and only got half a ticket. It's all so puzzling.'' Race numbers for Monday's Marathon Derby must be picked up from Devonshire Recreation Club on Friday evening between 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. or on Saturday between 3 and 6.30 p.m. No numbers will be issued on race day.

A PAIR OF ACES -- Kavin Smith (left) is the favourite for the Marathon Derby but isn't planning on breaking his own 1993 record. His biggest challenge could come from Jay Donawa -- if he runs.