IF there's a single word that Jay Donawa doesn't want to hear when others describe his outstanding athletic career, it's that of 'bridesmaid.'

He suffered that tag year after year as runner-up in the May 24 Marathon Derby and despite his success overseas representing the Island, particularly at the CAC Games, his triumphs in other local road races and in cross-country in which he became a multiple national champion, it's a tag for which he might be remembered most.

Cruel, unfair and one that certainly doesn't do him justice, but nevertheless accurate.

Even at his peak and showing enormous courage, Jay could never quite catch an equally in-form Kavin Smith or Terrance Armstrong when it mattered most – in the race which everyone desperately wants to win.

What made Jay's efforts most noticeable was his refusal to throw in the towel.

When others, whose names we won't mention, would have walked off the course when they knew they couldn't win, Jay refused to give up the chase.

In the last few years, injuries have hampered his career. Last Monday, he pulled out of the Derby after five miles and a couple of days later, in a letter written to this newspaper, he announced his retirement from the sport, due mainly to those injuries.

At 36, he finally did decide to throw in the towel.

But still harbouring the disappointment of failing to finish in the 100th anniversary of the Bermuda Day race, he probably can't bear the thought of pounding the roads day after day in preparation for a big race only to see his hard work come undone during competition.

He's not alone. Many athletes, in fact most, have suffered the same frustration. It's all part of the sport.

However, it would be a great shame that if in time, when his injuries heal, he doesn't rethink this decision and return to the road.

There's still an awful lot he can achieve. Just ask any number of local runners, for example Ray Swan, Jeff Payne and David Saul who once finished in the top five in the annual Princess to Princess Race, all of them over 40 at the time.

Swan, now 71 and one of the local legends who turned out on Monday, won the Derby when he was over 40 as did Payne.

Payne, it's understood, still holds the Masters division record in the May 24 race, although Swan believes he might have run faster when he was also a Master. But whatever the case, one of Swan's greatest achievements was to win the Boston Marathon's 50-and-over title in a field which contained a whole host of former running stars.

And if Jay wants more evidence of what can be accomplished in the years to come, he need look no further than last Monday's results.

At the ripe old age of 44, Victoria Fiddick not only won the Females Masters title but was overall female winner (after years of trying)!

Kavin Smith, now 42, was fifth overall, at 51, Sylvester Jeanne Pierre placed 13th overall and won the Senior Masters division and at 66, Anton Duzevic won the male over-60s category and Peggy Couper the female over-60s group at 65 – all of them in very impressive times.

In road running, no-one's over hill, no matter what their age. It's been proven time after time.

May 24's 'honorary American' entry, Syd Howard is still breaking world track records at 70.

The sport still has a lot to offer Donawa . . . and Donawa still has a lot to offer the sport.

It would be surprising if in the years to come we don't see that same gutsy athlete challenging for honours.

* * * *

IN ALMOST every aspect, this year's centennial Derby lived up to all of the pre-race hype.

Chris Estwanik, as expected, proved unbeatable, many familiar faces such as former winners, Smith, Swan, Ed Sherlock, Jane Christie and Maria Conroy Haydon, joined the party and the crowds might have been bigger ever, particularly in the West End.

And overall, organisers did a terrific job, from time-keepers to water-stop volunteers to finish line officials to medical staff – in fact, everybody involved.

But . . . and there's always a 'but'.

Everybody who finished deserved a medal. And that was the event's biggest disappointment. Everybody didn't get one.

By the time 900 or so runners, maybe even less, crossed the finish line there were none of the commemorative medals left. Hundreds were left nothing to show for their efforts.

It was much the same at the pre-race number pick-up when organisers ran out of race T-shirts.

No big deal, perhaps, as none of those who entered the race did so because they wanted a medal or a rather tacky-looking T-shirt.

But having set a target of 1,000 entries long before the entry forms were distributed, organisers knew exactly what was required in stock.

It's admirable that they have now promised to replenish that stock and guaranted that every runner gets both a medal and a T-shirt, but unfortunately it's almost a case of 'too little, too late.'

– ADRIAN ROBSON