Lamont Marshall, one of the Island’s top road runners, will use the Bermuda Marathon Weekend 10K as preparation for next month’s North American, Central American and Caribbean Cross-Country Championships in Jamaica.

Marshall’s main goal for Saturday’s race will be to remain with the lead pack for as long as possible as he steps up his training programme.

“I have made up my mind to do the 10K on Saturday,” Marshall said. “My training has been good so far, but my main objective at the moment is to get myself ready and available for the Nacac Cross-Country Championships next month.

“The 10K is that distance, so if I can produce a good time and be competitive for as long as possible, then the training is going according to plan.

“It is early in the season for me, so my preparations are based on being strong rather than fast. With the course here, you are always dealing with inclement weather and the hills. A fast time isn’t the main thing. It’s more important to get in a good workout to build myself up.

“If I can get to the final mile within a certain time adrift of the leaders, I am pleased.”

Marshall ran in the KPMG Invitational Front Street Elite Male Mile last year, coming seventh in a time of four minutes, 17.98 seconds.

But he admits that he has not trained enough at that distance while making as made the Nacac Cross-Country Championships his priority instead. He was, however, encouraged by his recent performance in the Fairmont to Fairmont race. His time of 36:28 was good enough for third place.

Harry Mulenga, the winner from Zambia, who has remained on the Island for the weekend, clocked 36:00.

“The Fairmont to Fairmont was good for me in the training scheme of things as I got to run against quality rivals who helped me along at a steady pace,” Marshall said.

“I can’t be competitive if I haven’t done five to six weeks’ training for a race like the Mile. I haven’t done anywhere near the work required for a fast time in that distance.

“The Mile is about speed and track work, which I haven’t been doing. I’ve been doing hill work and things like that to build up for the rest of the year.

After the cross-country competition, there is the Commonwealth Games and other things I wish to be healthy for, so I have to gauge my racing schedule.”