Top distance runner Kavin Smith left the Island for England last night, hopeful of running a personal best at this weekend's IAAF World Championship Half Marathon in Bristol.

While the elite field will probably see the top finishers coming home in less than an hour, the local ace is focusing on a PB of around one hour and eight minutes.

And he says he won't worry about other participants, whom he believes could throw him off his stride.

"I feel great mentally and physically and that's directly related to the fact that I am running well," he said before flying out with BTFA executive Roger Lambert, who will travel as manager.

"I have been training a little differently from the past, God has given me peace as I go through the preparation, and I feel that I am blessed with the talent that God has given me.

"My personal goal is to run a PB, something like 1:08 - anything better would be a nice improvement though."

Smith was particularly upbeat for this event as he decided back after this year's May 24 Marathon Derby that he would enter and the early decision has given him what he regards as suitable time to prepare properly.

Lack of preparation for events in the past, he said, had prevented him from entering many international races, but he was now pleased with both his physical and mental condition going into a race that is expected to attract almost all of the world's top distance runners, including multiple world record holder Haille Gebresallasie.

"The opportunity to compete at an international level has always been there, but it's just that I have rarely been able to prepare as I would have liked," added Smith. "However, this situation is different and I am ready."

Smith said he didn't know much about the course in Bristol but his contacts had advised him that temperatures would be around 65 degrees, and lately it had been damp and rainy.

"Actually, that doesn't sound too bad,'' said Smith, who will return home to continue his preparations for the CAC Cross Country Championships which will be hosted by Bermuda at Port Royal Golf Course next month.