Derby. But the creation most likely to challenge the defending champion is something inhuman...the clock.

Such has been the diminutive mother of two's domination of the road racing circuit that even her fiercest rivals would have to concede their chances to be slim at best.

A year ago witnessed Eatherley breaking the tape nearly four minutes ahead of second place finisher Maria Conroy Haydon and there has been little to suggest any narrowing of the gap during the past year.

"On paper it looks like it's the clock, but you never know, on May 24 anything can happen,'' said Eatherley, chasing her second consecutive and third title overall. "My training's gone really well, I haven't had any problems at all. I've been training consistently for over four months now for May 24.

"I've slightly improved over last year in all the races leading up to it and I'm actually finally back to where I was before I had my kids, and maybe a little bit better.'' If indeed her statements of improvement are true it may be that Sports `R' Us owner Darren Mayeaux will be forced to part with the $5,000 on offer to the first woman to eclipse the arbitrary time of one hour, 19 minutes and seven seconds.

Eatherley was timed in 1:23.08 a year ago and implied then that the bonus time set might not be beyond her in the future.

"My first aim is to run a bit faster than I did last year and then I'll just see what happens with regard to the record or whatever it is, because I don't want to go out too fast and not finish,'' said Eatherley, who has geared her training towards peaking for this race.

"This is certainly the highlight or ultimate race of the season, so I gear my whole training up for this race. I don't do any of the overseas races any more or go away to do marathons, I aim for this race and the one in January. "But even the (Bermuda) International race in January I don't take all that seriously, but this one I taper and train for.'' While Eatherley has reaped the fruits of May 24 success, the event has not been nearly as kind to another leading lady, Lynn Patchett.

Prior to last year when a fractured ankle severely hampered her ability to be competitive, Patchett has consistently faded down the stretch after strong first halves.

As with many prior to her -- and many to come next Wednesday -- Patchett was often guilty of going out too hard, perhaps getting caught up in the atmosphere and false hopes, and later paying the price.

However, this time, with a Boston Marathon under her belt and a string of good showings locally, she is optimistic of a change in fortunes.

"Basically there has been better runners ahead of me in the past,'' said Patchett, who, like Eatherley, is one half of a road running family -- the other being husband and top senior master Harry Patchett. Eatherley is married to former men's champion Brett Forgesson.

"This year I've been consistently coming in second in most of the major races. I can't foresee anybody beating Anna, because she's streets ahead of all the females on the Island, so it'll be interesting to see what happens with second, third or fourth...'' Along with Conroy Haydon, whose fitness level is unknown, Patchett will likely find opposition from Georgia Belboda and past winner Jane Christie, while Alison Cameron also has potential to do well.

While many look at Burnt House Hill as a crucial point in the race, one which can make or break a runner, Patchett noted the rigours of the opening four miles which each contain at least one significant hill section.

Asked what would be the key to her doing well, Patchett chuckled before replying: "I haven't had a tremendously successful run in May 24, so you're probably asking the wrong person.

"I'm just going to run my own race, I know what I'm capable of doing pacewise and will take it from there.

"I know the course and have the experience of running this event a few times, which is advantageous to anybody.'' Anna Eatherley: hot favourite among the Marathon Dertby women.