Top Bermudian middle distance runner Kavin Smith may be hurtling on a path toward superstardom, but while the route is often littered with gold bars for other top athletes his is one operated on a limited budget.

And this lack of financing for his venture into full-time athletics is threatening to short-circuit attempts at reaching world-class status.

It's also resulted in his decision to all but abandon plans to compete in next summer's Olympics Games.

Smith, who devastated the field during this year's Marathon Derby, is in dire need of an immediate cash infusion in order to continue an overseas training programme geared toward realising his maximum potential and allowing him to be competitive on the world stage.

It is believed that Smith needs at least $100,000 per year for living and travelling expenses, but so far just one sponsor -- computer company Winko's -- has come forward to foot some of his bills.

Supporters of the 28-year-old runner this week were critical of both the private and public sectors for snubbing the talented athlete, who they described as "the perfect role model for young Bermudians.'' "I think that Kavin is doing a fantastic job and has been for years, he offers the public a service just by us seeing an athlete of his calibre running up and down the roads and I think that it's unfair for the public not to support him the way that he deserves to be supported,'' said Alvin Wilson, president of Wilson Associates which includes Winko's.

"If Kavin was in Jamaica or even Haiti he would be getting support to reach his goals and in a country that is as rich as Bermuda we don't see why he is not getting more support.

"What we would like to see happen is any Bermudian who has a heart for a Bermudian role model, someone who knows what hard work is all about, to come out and support him. Kavin has demonstrated hard work in the way that he works out and practices religiously every week and when it came to having to build and finish a house, instead of someone charging $80,000, he built it himself.

"He is a fantastic role model and I just feel that we should do more for him as a country and as individuals, because we all appreciate that he is Bermuda's premier road runner and we should do something to help someone who has the will and the dream.'' Echoing Wilson's sentiments were Smith's wife Karla and coach Duncan Newby, who has also had to dig deep into his own pockets to help keep Smith's dream of competing on the world circuit alive.

All but abandoned is Smith's plan to take part in next year's Olympics, with his new goal the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

Newby said that Smith will return to England next year for more training. On the agenda will be meets in Europe to be followed by altitude training in Colorado later in the year by which time his prized pupil should be ready to enter some of the major meets involving 10 kilometre and half marathon races.

And, despite the current financial drain, the coach was convinced that scenario would unfold.

"At the moment Alvin and I are dipping into our own pockets to cover (expenses) but hopefully more people will put up some money to pay for this, but it's just one step and we have loads of steps we want to take,'' explained Newby.

"We were training for the Olympics, but because we haven't been able to financially back it we've had to drop back off a year. Now we've said `we're going ahead anyway, we're going to try and find a bottomless pit and spend money. Kavin's going to take time off from work, he'll probably lose his job because of it and we're going to live off a shoestring to support and get him there.'' Smith, meanwhile, is currently residing in England at the home of Britain's second ranked half-marathoner Bashir Hussain, training part-time with running club Bolton Harriers under coach Alan Robertson and doing the remainder on his own.

When contacted yesterday Smith said that he was so far satisfied with his progress, which included a win on Sunday in the Cheshire 10K. His time of 31 minutes, 30 seconds was enough to hold off what he termed a quality field in hot, dry conditions with temperatures approaching 90 degrees.

For his efforts the Bermudian received a gleaming silver trophy, a 75 gift voucher, a bottle of champagne and a sweatshirt. He was also listed in Athletics Weekly magazine which is circulated throughout Britain.

Still, he recognised that he has a long way to go toward his goal of being consistently in the sub-30 minute range.

"I just feel that based on the level I'm at and the time I'm putting in it's just a matter of having faith and sticking to the wicket until such time that the runs start coming,'' said Smith, using his best cricketing analogy.

"Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon once they see you producing fast times, but it's a long road getting there and support -- moral and financial -- is needed along the way.

"Athletes representing their country are not always doing it for themselves, but carry a sense of national pride wherever they go and we have to stick behind our people.'' Smith was also third in an 800 metres race on Tuesday, clocking 1:58 and fifth in the 3,000 metres (8:38) and is due to travel to France this weekend for a meet along with Bashir. He is due to return home on September 19.

KAVIN SMITH -- "The perfect role model for young Bermudians.''