AS he gets older Bermuda's 'King of the Road' Kavin Smith is always looking to get that little extra edge.

And so it came as no surprise that Smith, who will be bidding for his 10th Marathon Derby title on Monday in the annual classic, is hoping that the recent hot weather will hold up for the race.

"It certainly has been hot this week ? in fact it is the worst ever I think," said Smith this week.

Smith loves the heat. He said: "Heat has always paid some part in the race and it has always been an advantage for me because I like the heat. I can always use a little edge."

And according to the 37-year-old champion, his main two competitors, Jay Donawa and Terrance Armstrong, do not like the heat. "I know Jay doesn't like the heat that much and as for Terrance he lives abroad and is not used to it. He has been living up there in the cold (New Jersey) and for him to come down here and jump into these conditions will not be easy. I like the heat ? in fact sometimes I feel that I am part camel!"

Smith is also hoping that Donawa and Armstrong will be more concerned about each other than to focus on him ? something which seemed to happen last year when the two led the race for two thirds of the course before Smith pulled past them and won his ninth title. "I will be having fun as usual," said Smith ahead of the race.

But he certainly is looking forward to the challenge that Donawa and Armstrong present this year. "It makes it a better race for the spectators. They want to see a close race and I think they will get it this year. It is always my desire for it to be an exciting and close race ? it makes it more special ? it makes it more fun.

"Terrance has been training for the race ? he has been running well from what I have heard. And Jay looks to be in good shape. I am hoping that the crowd will get me through it ? they always allow me to relax. My problem sometimes is that I can get complacent."

Asked how his training has come along, Smith said: "I have been doing some road work. But having said that I feel that my body is talking to me. It has been a rough year and I am really pleased it is coming close to the race."

Asked if he has had any injuries, Smith said: "Well yes. It is just that I don't like to talk about any injuries but I will say that I am injury prone. I just don't let people know but I am feeling my aches and pains more these days. It gets tougher as the years go by."

And Smith knows that this year the race ? for him and his many fans ? will be special. "I am going for my tenth title. I have nine titles but a tenth has a nice sound to it. I would like ten wins but then as I tell people all of the time it is nice to want to be a millionaire but