biggest race, the May 24 Marathon Derby, Scotsman Peter Fleming returned yesterday to make his mark on a much lesser event.

Fleming breezed to victory in the annual Bermuda Track and Field Association half-marathon from St.George's to Hamilton, inflicting a rare and convincing defeat on local hero Kavin Smith in the process.

But this time there was none of the rancour that accompanied his participation in the 1981 Derby.

Back then Fleming innocently joined the field and helped dictate the pace before being forced out after five miles when as an "unofficial entrant'' he was accused of ruining other runners' strategies.

Ray Swan went onto win that year's race, although it was Garry Wilkinson and Peter Lever who were the most vocal in their complaints about Fleming's presence.

Yesterday, the Scotsman again forced the pace and this time there was no-one -- not even Smith -- who could stay with him.

He went on to complete the 13.1 mile distance in one hour and eight minutes, almost a full eight minutes in front of Smith who finished second in 1:15.58.

David Dunwoody placed third in 1:19.08 with Sylvester Jean-Pierre (1:19.15) and Luc Laurent (1:20.19) rounding out the top five.

Mark Albouy, sixth in 1:23.46, was first Master while Anna Eatherley easily won the women's division, placing seventh overall in a time of 1:24.12.

Annette Hallett (17th overall in 1:35.50) was the female Masters winner.

The race attracted a comparatively small field of just 55 runners.

Full results, see Scoreboard Loneliness of the long distance runner: Visiting Scotsman Peter Fleming left everyone in his wake as he romped to victory in yesterday's BTFA half-marathon.