Hawley envisions running her best ever Marathon Derby next week.

She goes into the event in what she considers as "the best shape of my life.'' Hawley isn't predicting defeat for reigning women's champion Mewett, but she's confident she can improve on her own course best of 1.31.38 set last year. And she believes she can offer a legitimate challenge for women's honours.

"I have worked hard for this race. I have given up triathlons just to run and ultimately I'd love to win it,'' said Hawley yesterday.

"I am definitely in my best ever shape for the course and I want to improve on last year. I'd love to go down to 1.30 or less. I did the half marathon in January and recorded a time of 1.25.10, so I really believe I have a chance of doing anywhere from 1.25 to 1.30 on Wednesday.'' Although third is her best finish to date, Hawley's fastest time was turned in four years ago -- a PB of 1.30.25. She's given birth to a daughter since then, had time to collect herself and now claims with a grin: "I'm back and determined to do well.'' But she admits winning will not be easy, with Jennifer Fisher, Mewett, Karen Adams and Maria Conroy Haydon all expected to be gunning for first place.

Adams and Conroy Haydon both dropped out last year and will be anxious to improve on their efforts while Debbie Butterfield, second last year in 1.31.17, is reportedly not competing.

Last year Mewett won in 1.30.16, but in all probability will require a better time to take honours this time.

"It's a hard course and experience counts and that's what Sandra has going for her. I lost the race at mile 10 last year, I was so excited about passing Sandra and then I kind of lost it and basically ran out of fuel,'' said Hawley.

"I expect Sandra will be there once again even though she hasn't been racing that much, but she is very tenacious and cannot be counted out. In addition to having the experience she is also a strong finisher.'' However, Hawley revealed that she has also worked on her finishing and hopes to avoid the problems she encountered a year ago.

"I am a much better runner this year than last year, so I would like to think I can offer a better challenge. Maria is going to be tough to beat because she really wants it, but she has to overcome what happened to her last year,'' added Hawley.

"I am going to stick to my game plan, but the problem is that you get so excited at the beginning and you go out too hard. You try to hold back and just can't.

"The difficult part of the course is once you get over Burnt House Hill. Then you think you are there but you are not because you still have got the hill at Inverurie. And then once you go past Fidelity on East Broadway you still have three miles to go and going through Hamilton is tough.'' Hawley concedes that being in top shape is no guarantee victory will be hers.

But she'd like nothing more than to claim her first Derby title, so emulating the performance of her brother, Kevin Pearson, who won in record time back in the 1980s.

Julia Hawley