Local running legend Kavin Smith is proud to see the legacy of his father honoured in the 27th Heritage Day Junior Classic this year.

Clarence Smith, the race’s cofounder and former president of West End Athletic Club and Bermuda Track and Field, passed away in January at the age of 83 with Bermuda’s Olympic champion Dame Flora Duffy among those to pay their respects.

“It’s nice to see the race committee honour my father,” said Smith, who achieved a record nine victories in the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon, including five consecutive wins between 1999 and 2003.

“Watching my father’s effort and energy, it is something that is well deserved with his name being associated to this particular event.

“I think it’s very fitting as he just passed in January and this is a great way of giving him his kudos for the effort and time he put into the community. He was selfless to young people and putting on events that help young people achieve their athletic goals.”

Heritage Classic race director and West End Athletic Club president Anthony Raynor echoed those sentiments.

“This one is in honour of Clarence Smith, who we all know from the track and field community in Bermuda for the last 50 years.

“He was all about youth so it was near and dear to his heart, and we are honoured to be doing this for him.”

The race features boys and girls aged 8 to 17 that will again compete for overall and age group honours.

Among the contenders are Zydon Lightbourne Furbert, who won gold medals in the 400 and 200 metres at the prestigious Russell E Blunt East Coast Invitational in North Carolina last summer, and Tobiah Goodchild, who finished third in the previous Heritage Day Junior Classic.

Sanchez Smith, who led the field across the line last time out, has yet to register for this year’s event while back to defend the overall girls crown is Naomi MacGuinness, who finished fourth overall last.

Competitors will race on a slightly different course this year with the start line now situated outside Blue Waters Anglers Club on East Broadway, Hamilton, where they will also be issued their race bibs by officials.

Raynor is looking forward to another exciting race and has urged the public to come out and support the island’s junior runners.

“West End Athletic Club is really pleased to be hosting the 27th Heritage Day Junior Classic. We are expecting 70-plus athletes, an increase on 2024 registration numbers, and are grateful to the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby organisers for allowing us to showcase Bermuda’s youth as they experience the tremendous crowd support,” he said.

“West End Athletic Club also wishes to thank Lister Insurance Agency Ltd, Chubb, Rollin Pics, Grandview Tent Rentals, setPlay, parents and volunteers for their generous support.

“We expect to start after the last cyclist in the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race passes our start location and urge the public to come out early to support and encourage our next generation of runners.”

The race starts at 9am.