Smith sprained his ankle during a recent training run and is still nursing the injury.

Physiotherapy helped ease the swelling and improve mobility but there remains a localised area of pain troubling the reigning cross-country champion.

"The ankle is not in any condition to run. I still can't put any pressure on it,'' said Smith. "I'm considering having a scan to check for any hairline fracture.'' The injury comes as a major blow to Smith who has been plagued by back injuries in recent years.

"It's very regretful that I will not be running,'' said Smith. "I had big plans for this year.'' Indeed, Smith had been burning up the roads this year, starting off by becoming the first local across the line in the ADT Bermuda 10-K and continuing with wins in the St. Pauli Girl Round the Town Race and the cross-country championships. He was rewarded with a trip to Boston along with Tracy Wright to represent the island in the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships.

Before the injury, the 26-year-old was the obvious favourite to lead home the Marathon Derby field. No other runner -- including newly-installed favourite Wright -- was expected to give any more than token resistance.

Said Smith: "For once I wanted to go into the race at 100 percent.

"I'm not about to go out there and struggle along.'' Obviously disappointed, the Canadian Armed Forces employee said that he will stay positive and wait for next year.

Maria Conroy-Haydon, who had been tipped as a major contender in the women's race, will also be absent on Monday.

The ADT Bermuda 10-K champion is still nursing a hamstring injury sustained earlier this season.

KAVIN SMITH -- This season's road-running sensation will be missing from Monday's Marathon Derby.