the festive season and continue his domination of the road running scene when he leads a formidable field in tomorrow's 7.2-mile Princess to Princess race.

But Bermuda's middle-distance ace questions his own condition after being sidelined for the past two weeks by a bout of bronchitis.

With no foreign runners expected to be involved Smith, who finished a close second last year in 38 minutes and 11 seconds, is tipped to win despite his recent health problems. His closest rivals will probably be Tracy Wright, third last year in 39:45 and Brett Forgesson who was fourth in 39:58.

"Thursday was my first day of running since Christmas. I'm feeling how I want to be in my mind, but really I'm kind of tired,'' said Smith this week.

"I don't have a real plan (for Sunday). I've been out two weeks. It should be a good test to see how I need to schedule training to prepare for next weekend,'' he added.

Race Director Newton Adcock said that no international runners were expected to participate because the bulk of those involved in the International Race Week would not be flying in until tomorrow or Monday.

Therefore there is no likelihood that Englishman Paul Freary will be here to defend the title he won a year ago with a time of 38 minutes and nine seconds.

Adcock said that this year's entry list is expected to be close to last years when 147 participated. The race will start at Hamilton Princess at 9.30 a.m.

and take the runners to Whaler Inn in Southampton via Harbour Road.

Last year's race saw Freary pull away after three miles with Smith just barely failing to reel the 24-year-old winner in with a fast finish, but the winning time was outside of the record 36:08 held by American David Swanston. With Smith not in top shape and none of the other runners expected to be either following the Christmas break, the race is not expected to pruduce a much faster time than a year ago.

"I would have been looking for at least a high 36 or low 37 minute time, but as I said the way I'm feeling I don't know,'' said Smith when questioned about his forecast of a time for the winner.

"I'm only going out because I have to. Right now I'm not totally one hundred percent,'' he said.

The women's division should be more competitive with Sandra Mewett favoured again after winning last year in 44 minutes and 33 seconds. Her stiffest competition will come from Karen Adams who followed her home second last year in 45:02 and Anna Eatherley who was third in 46:23.

Elite runners Paul McCloy of Canada and American Dave Dunham are the latest additions to the ADT Bermuda 10K field, having just been confirmed yesterday.

McCloy is a six time winner of the Canadian Cross Country Championships and carries a personal best in the 10K of 27:56.83. Dunham, meanwhile, has a best of 29:17 and has won an unprecedented seven consecutive New England TAC Grand Prix Championships.

PAUL FREARY -- will not be back to defend the Princess to Princess title he won last year when he beat Kavin Smith.

KAVIN SMITH -- Recovering from recent bronchitis which kept him out of action.