Derby champion Kavin Smith is now targeting those overseas as his next challenge as part of an effort to qualify for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

His quest begins tomorrow when he is scheduled to participate in the Orange Classic 10K in Middletown, New York.

Smith was yesterday optimistic as to what he would encounter and how he might fare on a strange course against unknown opposition. His only point of reference was the course record, listed at 30 minutes, 32 seconds, which to Smith indicated not so forgiving terrain.

"It must be a challenging course if the record is 30:32 and last year's winning time was 30:38,'' said Smith. "I don't really want to commit myself to a particular time not knowing how hard the course is, but I would like to at least get a sub-31 minute time.

"My ultimate would be to go sub-30 or 28-29 for the 10K, that's my goal, but for all that to happen I need to keep doing these events and get as much support from the public and government as I can. The more I can get away the better.'' The course is said to be divided into thirds, with each offering a challenge of its own. The first part consists of flat roads, followed by a steep uphill climb and it then finishes on rolling terrain.

Smith is running under the guidance of coach Duncan Newby, who he said was encouraging him to race against the best the world has to offer in order to further improve.

"Duncan has great confidence in me and the belief that I can be a world class runner,'' added Smith. "He's coaching me, but it's up to myself to produce, only I know what I can do and it's up to me to go out and do it.'' Following New York, Smith is eying participation in the Peach Tree 10K in Atlanta on July 4 and is also looking into taking part in a few track meets, preferably along the United States' east coast.

In order to make such ventures Smith will be dipping into the Kavin Smith Olympic Training Fund, which has been set up at the Bank of Bermuda. And he yesterday appealed to locals for contributions to the fund, which will aid in his quest for Atlanta 1996.

Kavin Smith