WHEN former Premier David Saul runs in the Bermuda Day half-marathon tomorrow, he'll be doing more than simply defending his title in the Over-60s category.

Dr. Saul, who was diagnosed and successfully treated for prostate cancer at the end of 2000, will serve as a flee-footed poster boy for survivors of the disease.

"I have been running a long time," the 62-year-old said. "Within three months of me having my cancer operation, I ran the International 10k in January and came second to the world record holder in the Over-60s category and I happen to be the Over-60s defending champion in the May 24 half-marathon.

"All this to say that I will be struggling around to defend my title (tomorrow)."

A runner since the age of 14, the former leader of the United Bermuda Party has held every Bermuda record between one and ten miles; the ten-mile record was left unbroken for ten years. It's to his many years of regular exercise that the athlete attributes his fast recovery from cancer.

"You will never, ever get well after an operation by lying in bed. I had my prostate operation at the Lahey Clinic on a Monday, and on the Tuesday I asked the nurse how long the hall was. She told me 220 yards, which is one-eighth of a mile and so I walked it eight times while pushing all my intravenous equipment.

"The next day, I walked it 16 times, or two miles. They kicked me out on the Wednesday and told me to go to (a hotel). I received my pathology report on the Friday and they said my cancer had not spread outside my prostate.

"This is for anyone who is going in for an operation: If you are as physically fit as you can be - your weight is down, your heart and muscles are in good condition - you will come through the operation in record time.

"So if you go into an operation, go in as fit physically and emotionally as you possibly can. There were weeks in my life when I would run 120 miles in one week but now I've slowed down and run, on average, 35 miles per week.

"Everyone ought to get into the best possible shape they can be, whether they're walking, pedalling or running, they should exercise.

"Why the US has an obesity problem is beyond me. They have access to the best climate, the best food and the best medical care. They ought to be proud of their bodies and take care of themselves."

Dr. Saul said that he returned home and worked out a three-mile walking route from his home in Devonshire Bay. Once his catheter came out he resumed running, ran the International 10k and continued his training for the half-marathon.

"To train specifically for the 24th of May, I ran 12 miles for five consecutive Sundays. I worked out that it's six miles from my house to Frick's Point in Tucker's Town. But so much depends on the weather; whether it's raining or cool or humid. Humidity knocks some people out completely and if wind is blowing in their face it affects people. I like it when it's cool and raining. I don't like wind or humidity."

The veteran athlete had the following advice for those planning to run: "The biggest mistake that people make - and I know the majority of runners on Friday will do this - is to run too fast to Burnt House Hill. It's important to conserve your energy. There's nothing worse than almost getting there and then running out of steam.

"It's all about pace, pace, pace. I know Burnt House Hill is halfway, and I've been telling everybody over the last 30 years to run as if you're dragging an anchor to Burnt House Hill. Run as slowly as you can.

"It's like money in the bank, once you've blown it, it's spent and when you get to Front Street and realise you still have a mile-and-a-half to go, it's too late. When I was 40, I was 53rd at Scaur Hill which is just over a mile into the race.

"At the end, I was sixth. One of the greatest physiological and psychological lifts is to pass people on the second half of the race going home. There's nothing worse than seeing people pass you.

"Run slowly to Burnt House Hill, drink before the run and every opportunity on the run. Pour water over your head and if you can't get to drink it, pour it over your head and thighs."

n Forecasters are predicting scattered early showers with a chance of thunder on Bermuda Day, becoming a mix of sun and cloud later with the chance of one or two showers. Expect a high temperature of 75 Fahrenheit. Winds will be southwesterly at 15-20 knots, then veering northwesterly.