and signalled his readiness for this week's International Race Weekend.

In Bermuda's first major road race of the new century, Kavin Smith, who has won every local race he has entered this season, opted not to enter, leaving Donawa to win the 7.2-mile event by more than two-and-a-half minutes. But even if Smith had run, he would have been hard-pressed to get the better of Donawa, whose time of 37 minutes, 37 seconds was just five seconds outside Smith's own race record for a Bermudian in the 23-year-old event, set in 1989.

Donawa was also in fine form last January and was set for a fascinating duel with Smith for the first local to finish in the Race Weekend 10K, but Donawa fell and fractured his collar bone within the first mile of the big race.

Second of the 188 finishers in 40:12 was triathlon specialist Tyler Butterfield, working his way back to fitness after a bout of mononucleosis, with youngster Mark Morrison third, just 10 seconds behind. It was an impressive effort by both teenagers to beat former Princess race winner Brett Forgesson, who came fourth in 40:30, 22 seconds ahead of Tracy Wright.

Also showing sparkling form was the winner of the female category, Anna Eatherley, who finished 12th overall. Eatherley was defending champion and having won last year's race, went on to dominate the women's road running scene in 1999.

Ominously for her opponents, Eatherley's time yesterday was 43:13, one-and-a-half minutes better than her winning time last year. Her closest challengers were Karen Adams (45:30) and Lynn Patchett (46:42), while mile specialist Ashley Couper, the top-ranked local qualifier for Friday's Front Street Mile, was the fourth woman to finish in 47:15.

Sixth-placed Sylvester Jean-Pierre (41:43) won the men's Masters category, while Harry Patchett was the 50-plus winner, placing 10th overall in 43:02.

Annette Hallett (49:48) was the female Masters winner and Peggy Couper (55:08) triumphed in the 50-plus category.

Back to his best: Jay Donowa