Time will be of the essence for Bermuda's 46 runners heading to this Sunday's New York Marathon -- the biggest ever group to represent the Island.

Since none of the local contingent can realistically expect to challenge for overall honours among the record 29,000-strong field, it's the quest to clock certain times -- some challenging, some conservative -- that will drive the Bermuda runners through the five boroughs of New York City.

"My main aspiration is to finish, first and foremost,'' said first-time marathoner Jamal Hart, better known for cross-country and 10K runs. Hart is expected to be one of Bermuda's top finishers, but venturing into unknown territory leaves him unsure of what to expect.

"I really haven't set a time other than to break the three-hour barrier. I feel in good shape, I've done a lot of work in the last two or three months. I feel confident,'' he said.

Like everybody else, Hart is keeping a close eye on the weather which is expected to be in the 50s, much cooler than the temperatures experienced here when the runners were at the peak of their training.

"I feel the 50s should be ideal, coming from the 70s and 80s,'' said Hart, who has been training since July.

"I have a good solid two and a half month (training) base. I'm ready to shake a leg again. I'll go out very conservatively but I would like to finish among the top three locals.'' Former Somerset Cup Match captain, Andre Manders, is another who is running his first marathon. He got the urge to tackle the NY marathon, the biggest in the world, after talking with Bermuda Telephone Company colleague, Kavin Smith.

"He put his name down and I put my down about two weeks later but I actually missed the deadline,'' explained Manders. "I called (local coordinator) Joanne Sutherland and she said normally people drop out and after about a week she called me and said she had a number for me.'' Smith, who is expected to lead home the local group, has put out a challenge to Manders to break the three-hour mark. Smith should be waiting for him at the finish line and the loser of the bet buys lunch.

"I'm aiming for anything between three hours and three-ten,'' said Manders yesterday. "That's basically seven-minute miles and I'll see how I feel after the first half. I may be able to dip under three hours.'' Brett Forgesson, a veteran of four New York marathons, should also be one of the top finishers. He had a best marathon time of 2:26.55 at the 1993 California International Marathon, but he's aware that the California race bears little resemblance to New York.

"I haven't run anywhere near that fast in New York,'' said Forgesson, who has clocked a 2:34 in the Big Apple.

"I think New York is a harder marathon than that one (California). The last few miles through Central Park can be pretty tough so it pays to leave a little bit in reserve over the first half.

"Last year I was around 2:35 so I hope to run somewhere under 2:40 which I would be happy with.'' Forgesson says he prefers the cooler weather. "Last year was nice, in the 50s, and the year before it was very cold, somewhere in the 30s,'' he said.

"You have to expect anything in New York, one year it was in the 80s. Plus it can be pretty windy there, too.'' And he has a tip for those attempting the course for the first time, of which there are quite a few from Bermuda.

"My advice is to position yourself well at the start because with 29,000 runners you need to get a reasonable start.'' Runners have been assigned numbers depending on their previous times and their positions at the start will be determined by those numbers.

"It does make a difference but it still turns out to be a bit of a free-for-all, with 29,000 people. It's a long race so for the first timers they should look to pace themselves and make sure they come home feeling strong and not leave it all out there in the first half and walk home,'' said Forgesson.

David Dunwoody is part of a group of about 15 who have been training under coach Steve Burgess for the marathon. Burgess' team have paid to take him along for support.

"This is my first marathon ever, the furthest I've ever run was the half marathon (May 24),'' said Dunwoody, who is another aiming to get under three hours at the first attempt.

"I haven't even trained any further than that. We're all looking forward to it. I've been focusing on it since mid-July.'' Bermuda entries (age in brackets): Edwina Arorash (41), Martin Allen (49), Aldo Balia (30), Gerhard Boonstra (28), Donald Bowman (28), Alison Cameron (30), Sergio Camilletti (33), John Coakley (41), Barbara Correia (43), Nicolene De Waal (28), Ernest Dunphy (32), David Dunwoody (27), Christopher Eaton (29), Mark Edmunds (30), John Edwards (60), Ahmed ElAmin (36), Talia Foa (36), Brett Forgesson (33), Graham Fowle (39), June Gardner (27), Edward Gomez (53), Karen Gonsalves (26), Jamal Hart (28), Simon Holt (34), George Jones (60), Manuel Lopes (38), Andre Manders (37), John McEwing (31), Patrick O'Brien (28), Robert Pare (28), Harry Patchett (49), Lynn Patchett (30), Rhianon Pedro (36), Brian Rosorea (31), Kevin Santucci (36), George Shaw (46), Anthony Smith (29), Donna Mae Smith (40), Karen Smith (43), Kavin Smith (30), Sarah Smith (32), Calvin Steede (38), Charles Swart (33), Elvin Thomas (51), Susan Verity (43), Gary Wilson (33) UNKNOWN TERRITORY -- Top runners Jamal Hart (left) and Andre Manders will both attempt their first full marathon as part of a 40-plus Bermuda contingent competing in New York this Sunday.