Bermuda's most prestigious road race, the May 24 Marathon Derby, celebrates its 100th anniversary next Monday – ironically on May 25 as the traditional public holiday this year falls on a Sunday.

And with organisers hoping for a record entry of 1,000 runners or more, rumours abound that many of the past champions will be on the start line to relive memories of the days when they ruled the road.

Exactly how many of them remains to be seen as the event has a history of the top athletes not showing their cards until the morning of the race.

But Ed Sherlock, now over 70 years old, who won six times between 1956 and 1962, has said he hopes to be among them as will be Kavin Smith who holds the record for most victories in the modern era – nine. And, although a Master (over 40), he will almost certainly be a top-five contender.

Stanley Burgess, later renamed 'Sir Stanley', won 11 times between 1926 and 1951.

But there have been plenty of multiple winners since.

Cal Bean hit the finish line first on five occasions, Mike Watson four and more recently Terrance Armstrong, who also claimed the title four times.

Women entered the fray for the first time in 1976 with Merernette Bean – the sister of Cal Bean – breaking down the barrier which had prevented females from competing in previous years.

She won again in 1981 during a decade when Debbie Butterfield reigned supreme. The wife of another regular contender, Jim Butterfield, Debbie lifted the crown on seven occasions.

But that record of most victories was to be overhauled by Sandra Mewett who dominated between 1984 and 1994 when she claimed eight victories. Anna Eatherley has also won six times, while her husband, Brett Forgesson, took the men's title in 1994.

On this page we list all of the winners since the first race in 1909.

n There was no race in 1915.

n The race was run by two groups from 1926 to 1943. Female runners did not compete until 1976.

n Before 1940 some results could not be verified. In 1918 it was also reported that Melvin Smith won the race. In 1926 and 1927 some reports said Richard Darrell was the winner. And in 1935 and 1939, some credited Kenneth Castle and Max Smith with the victory.

n Over the years the race route has been changed although since 1977 it has been run from Somerset to Hamilton.

n Information and photo courtesy of Dale Butler's book 'Marathon' published in 1999 and from The Royal Gazette archives.