If teenage runner Emmanuel Smith-Joynes requires an inspirational role model then he need look no further than his May 24 mentor Kavin Smith.

Smith Joynes, 16, finished his first ever Marathon Derby in an impressive 18th position with a time of one hour 28 minutes and 52 seconds, and reckons he couldn't have done it without the guidance of nine-time winner Smith.

The BHS student has been training alongside Smith for a year with the veteran champion also acting as his pacesetter during last week's centennial race.

"I've only been running for the last three years and working with Kavin for about one," said Smith-Joynes. "I used train at a track club but then decided I wanted to train by myself. My mom asked Kavin if he would help me and it's been great to be able to train with him.

"He really helps me through the hard work which I struggle with and I don't think I could do it without him – he makes training fun.

"He told me not go too fast and to keep to a pace which I was comfortable with. It was my first May 24 and I didn't really know what to expect, or where I could finish."

His performance saw him finish second in the junior male division behind his good friend Sean Trott who came in just 29 seconds behind Masters division winner Smith.

Smith-Joynes said that he was initially inspired to start running by 19-year-old Trott and would be targetting a time of 1.23 in next year's May 24.

"Sean is a good friend of mine and I've known him for a while," he said.

"I guess he first inspired me to start running. Hopefully I can get nearer to him next year as I'm looking for a time around the 1.23 mark. I know I'm capable of that.

"I'm more used to running five miles and 10k races so this year I kind of jumped straight into it. I'll definitely be running May 24 next year and it's something I want to continue to do and improve on."