achievements of sons Spencer and Tyler -- even though they would prefer the youngsters follow in their own footsteps as runners rather than being involved in the high-octane, extremely dangerous sport of motocross.

Spencer, 12, and Tyler, 10, are two of the Island's most promising young milers -- Spencer actually holds the Primary Boys record for the Bank of Butterfield Mile after his 5:14.7 time last year -- but there is another new sport consuming their interest and energy.

That it is also one of the most dangerous sports around is something Debbie need not be reminded of. She and husband Jim are regular visitors to Coney Island to support their boys, Spencer in the 80cc class and Tyler in the pee wee 80s.

Many youngsters in Bermuda combine two sports, but the running-motorcycle combination is something new. For the time being Spencer is taking a break from pursuing better times at the Front Street spectacle, though Tyler will be out there with his parents competing in the mile tomorrow night.

Spencer, now a first year student at Saltus, feels he will be out of his league against the older high school boys in the mile, the most notable being last year's winner Michael Donawa, who lost his primary record to Spencer the same night he set a new record (4:27.7) for the secondary boys.

"Running takes a lot of work and you can't really push him into it if he doesn't want to do it,'' Debbie said of Spencer's decision to give up serious running for the moment. It is particularly hard for her to take because -- as his times show -- he is a very promising runner.

"Last year he worked hard for that mile record, training ahead of time, but it's not like you can drag him out and say you've got to run. Now he's kind of going out on his own, but we want to support him.

It's (motocross) very scary and we don't want him to get injured.'' Debbie is no different from most mothers, but after going down to Coney Island she has come to appreciate the skill levels of the young riders.

"I also think it's a challenge for him, but he's a bit more gifted in running. We're hoping if we don't push him he will come back out to run.'' Ironically Spencer got interested in motocross through his friendship with another gifted young runner, Mark Constable. It turned out Mark's brother Kyle also rides at Coney Island, in the 125 C class.

"Last summer he heard of this bike being for sale and was pushing his dad to get it,'' explained Debbie. "It came out of the blue.'' The money Spencer earned at a summer job at a gas station went towards the bike.

"He earned the money to buy that bike. If he was going to go that far we felt we better support him,'' said his mother.

And to add fuel to the fire, Debbie and Jim have a double dose of nerves on race days because Tyler has decided to follow Spencer into competitive riding.

He has not let it interfere with his running too much, though, and his parents will be very proud if he runs again next year to make it four Bank of Butterfield miles before he joins Spencer in high school, having started at age eight.

"Tyler at least turned out for the mile (trials),'' said Debbie. "He's only 10 so he can run again. I don't think Tyler would be down there (Coney Island) if Spencer wasn't interested in it.'' As for his future in running, Spencer says: "I don't plan to do it for awhile. I just found it hard, training and everything.

"My dad likes motocross, but my mom is terrified of it. My cousins, two little girls, come down with her and they help her. I would like to do good at it, but I've only just started.'' Added Tyler: "At first I started because he started, but now I really like it.'' Tyler, too, is planning to give the mile a miss when he gets into high school.

So far, fortunately, there have been no serious injuries at the track, though Spencer did receive assistance from St. John's Ambulance officials after coming off his bike a few weeks ago. Debbie did not go to the track that day.

"Maybe for good reason,'' she said.

And there was an incident with Tyler recently, but nothing a young rider cannot handle.

"Last week a friend and I had our handlebars get caught, but nothing serious,'' he pointed out.

"I don't like to see anybody come off,'' said Debbie. "I guess I have a weak stomach. But at least they are well padded.

"They all go so fast but they are all very good. They really know what they are doing. They are very capable on those bikes, but it's not something I'm used to.'' TYLER BUTTERFIELD -- Shown in action at Coney Island.

SPENCER BUTTERFIELD -- Crossing finish line a year ago.

FATHER KNOWS BEST -- Jim Butterfield, and wife Debbie, keep their family on the run.