Sandra Mewett is queen of the Marathon Derby once again.

She defied the odds yesterday to come through with a victory after the two favourites, Maria Conroy Haydon and Karen Adams both failed to finish.

Mewett, 35th overall, was followed home by former champion Debbie Butterfield and Julia Hawley. Mewett clocked 1:30.16 while Butterfield was timed in 1:31.17 and Hawley in 1:31.38. Another former winner Jane Christie was a close fourth in 1:31.55.

Even Mewett couldn't believe that she would win her eighth title when anxious fans and veteran male runner Syd Howard informed her that she was in first place as she ran along Victoria Street in Hamilton.

Responding to Howard, she said "no, no, no Syd, I'm not the first lady, cool down Syd,'' she recalled.

But when last year's champion Anna Eatherley, who was providing radio commentary aboard a press vehicle, passed on the same information, Mewett knew the title was hers.

"When Anna yelled it to me I almost died. I mean I was so excited, I couldn't believe it.'' Favourites Conroy Haydon and Adams dropped out in contrasting style. Adams succumbed to a leg injury after just six and half miles, but Conroy Haydon's demise was much more dramatic.

Leading Mewett by what was believed to be between six or seven minutes and seemingly headed for a certain victory, she ran into trouble on Front Street, struggled along Church and Queen Streets before collapsing near the Hamilton Fire Station.

"She went white, and then just fell backwards onto the road,'' said Eatherley, who leapt from the press vehicle to help comfort her friend and rival.

"She was completely out of it.. .but even by the time the ambulance arrived there was no sign of Sandra, so that tells you how far she was in front.'' Resting yesterday afternoon, a disappointed Conroy Haydon said she remembered little after running past the Longtail statue on Front Street.

"Somebody said they saw me look at my watch, but I don't remember... "One minute I was feeling fine, the next I was gone. My brain just went.

"I didn't think about slowing down, because I thought I was running well.'' Conroy Haydon's sudden departure allowed Mewett, who sat out last year after suffering a bicycle injury, to coast home.

But her triumph didn't come as a surprise to previous winner Butterfield who followed her across the line.

"I'm not surprised she won. In fact, I predicted that she would,'' said Butterfield. "She's just too strong, I just knew she would do well despite coming off a knee injury.'' Added Mewett: "I certainly didn't go out there to win, I just wanted to be part of the race,'' she said afterwards. "Last year I watched it and it was just so painful I said next year I wanted to run. Even after just two weeks of training, I just wanted to be a part of it.'' When Hawley came and went by her, Mewett recalled telling Hawley to "slow down''. "I told her to cool it, and I never saw her again after reclaiming the lead.'' Butterfield said she was surprised to finish second, and indicated that she couldn't have challenged Mewett. "I never at any time thought I was capable of winning it. I had a little bit of hope on Front Street when I saw Jane Christie and thought that if she could come with me that we could pick up our pace a bit, but she didn't,'' said Butterfield.

"I saw Sandra but it was too late in the race.'' Christie recalled the chat with Butterfield but said her legs "were gone''.

Hawley saw Butterfield pass her at the end of Cedar Avenue.

"I just couldn't do anything about it. I tried and just couldn't respond but I definitely hope to do better next year,'' said Hawley.

FIRST AGAIN -- A relieved Sandra Mewett completes her eighth Marathon Derby victory.