Chayce Smith plans to make home advantage count when he tests himself against the overseas elite runners in the KPMG Invitational Front Street Mile on Friday.The 24-year-old has been granted permission to race in the Elite Mile, having placed an encouraging fourth in last year’s race in a time of four minutes 20.95 seconds.Smith, whose finish was just .75 seconds behind eventual winner Philip Lagat, of Kenya, insists he’s in better condition this time around and is confident of posing an even greater challenge to the elite field.“(The overseas runners) are coming to race in Bermuda, which is my home, they are coming to my den, and I’m the lion,” said Smith, who will be the only Bermudian running the Elite Mile.“Unless they’re Daniel, they’re going to have a tough time of trying to win this race. I already know I can run with these guys, last year I wasn’t sure, but after the race I knew I could compete.“Last year was a learning experience. I certainly won’t make the same mistakes as I did last time out. This year I’m stronger and faster and I’m ready for Friday.”Smith, who teaches at Dellwood Middle School, was by far and away the fastest local runner in last month’s trial run and hopes to carry his recent good form into Friday’s race as he strives for a podium finish.“I haven’t heard who is running, but I’m pretty sure the champion is running again and few of the others that ran last time so this should be interesting,” said Smith, who is studying for his Masters degree and teaching certificate.“I go out to win every race, so I’m out to win this race. My schooling hasn’t been a hindrance; it’s my thing I have to take care of. My mother told me previously I have to learn how to balance the two and I’m getting the hang of it.”Smith has been training twice a day in preparation for the Elite Mile and admits he has ‘a few tricks up his sleeve’.“I think I will have the slight advantage in terms of the elements,” said Smith, who came third in the National Cross-Country Championships last month behind Chris Estwanik and Sean Trott.“I have been trying to get used to the weather myself and the overseas competitors are coming from colder climates, so I have a few secrets on how I can get used to the cold conditions as well.“Training up the NSC in the evenings and mornings has helped as well in terms of the conditions being close to the night with the wind shifts and so forth, so I’m ready to take this on.”Meanwhile, middle distance runner Sean Trott has vowed to defend his Bermuda Triangle Half Challenge.Trott has kept his powder dry by opting out of last weekend’s Fairmont to Fairmont Road Race so to stay fresh for the Triangle’s events: KPMG Front Street Mile, 10K and Half-Marathon.The 21-year-old has been pounding the pavements in preparations for the annual challenge and has set his sights on a strong finish in Sunday’s half-marathon, his favoured distance.“I won the Triangle Half Challenge last year so I’ll definitely be looking to defend my title,” he said. “Of the three events, I’d say I’m a better half-marathon runner so I hopefully I’ll really be going for it on Sunday.“I’ve been doing a lot of high mile training recently so I’m happy with my preparations.“I didn’t think at be at full strength (for Race Weekend) if I’d competed in the Fairmont to Fairmont, and I’d already done a decent amount of miles last week.”Trott is hoping for positive start to the new year having enjoyed a superb 2011, which saw him stylishly win the Triangle Half Challenge, claim bronze at the Island Games in the Isle of Wight and finish third in the May 24 Half-Marathon.He also broke his personal best for a half-marathon as he ducked under one hour 10 minutes in the Philadelphia Half-Marathon last November, finishing 22nd overall with a gun-to-tape time of 1.09.38.“I’ve been competing overseas and that’s something I aim to do more of this year,” said Trott, who assists top local female runner Deon Breary with her training programme.“May 24 will be a big one for me; I’d also like to more track racing and maybe qualify for compete in some summer track events for Bermuda as well.”