When he steps out of home in his running gear, Dr. David Saul is a man who thrives over the longer distance.

As a politician, however, he has made his mark as a champion sprint runner.

Yesterday, he burst through the tape of the Premiership race after just six years in politics ... leaving his challenger Mr. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge breathless in his wake.

On July 31, when the Hon. Sir John Swan tied his political future to the fate of the Independence referendum, few observers mentioned Dr. Saul as a possible successor.

Being late off the blocks, however, proved no handicap for the man who has held Bermuda running records from one mile to 10 miles. For a lightning dash has seen him carry off the ultimate political trophy.

In truth, though, it was in February 1989 that the starting pistol was fired in the former teacher and businessman's political career.

After the general election he was made Finance Minister -- an appointment repeated in the October 1993 election, and one which undoubtedly dismayed his Progressive Labour Party opponents.

Yesterday, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade chided Dr. Saul over his "arrogance'' -- a tag which the Devonshire South MP has been unable to shake off. Some opponents even suspect he glories in such a label.

"He treats us all in the PLP as Budget imbeciles,'' Mr. Wade moaned.

Arrogant or not, many of his political foes secretly admit to a grudging regard for him.

"He may be arrogant, but you can't say he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He really pulled himself up by his bootstraps,'' said one PLP MP.

Dr. Saul was born in Bermuda on November 17, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. John A.

Saul, of Hamilton.

He was a pupil at Mount St. Agnes and Saltus Grammar School, before continuing his education overseas.

He earned a Certificate of Education from the University of Nottingham, England in 1960; a Diploma of Education from Britain's Loughborough College; a BA from Queen's University in Canada in 1968; and his M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1969 and 1972. Dr. Saul was a school teacher and vice-principal with the Bermuda Department of Education from 1962 to 1967, and worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Toronto from 1968 to 1971.

In 1972 he became Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, a position he held until 1976.

He was also chairman of the Council of International Affairs from 1983 to 1985; chairman of the Economic Council from 1987 to 1988; and chairman of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

It is an impressive curriculum vitae. And these chairmanships by no means complete the list.

Outside politics, Dr. Saul, who has a son, Jonathan, 25, and daughter, Robin, 23, is best known as president of Fidelity International Bermuda Limited and executive vice-president of Fidelity (Worldwide).

He is also a director of some two dozen Fidelity companies in London, Paris, Jersey, Boston, Toronto, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Bahrain and Cayman Islands.

As Premier, however, Dr. Saul is expected to give up his business interests.

Despite being depicted by many as an aloof number-cruncher, Dr. Saul is far from a paid-up member of the club of "all work and no play''.

For example, he is an avid collector of old English coins, currency notes, butterflies, and sea shells.

His best extra-curricular activity, however, is running.

In his prime, he was a formidable competitor who earned the respect of the sporting world.

Royal Gazette Sports Editor Mr. Adrian Robson spotlighted the 26-year Bermuda record Dr. Saul held at the 10-mile distance.

"Dr. Saul has been a great source of encouragement to Bermuda runners over the years.'' Although often viewed as lacking the common touch, Dr. Saul astonished party colleagues with a rare display of emotion at yesterday's swearing-in ceremony at Government House.

Fighting back the tears, he doffed his hat to his wife of 32 years, Christine, and told how being Premier would mean sacrifices in his family.

It was hardly the talk of a cold automaton.

GLORY DAYS -- A youthful Hon. David Saul showing his running prowess as he passes the finishing line in the International 10k in 1982, the year Sir John Swan was sworn in as Premier. Still a keen runner, Dr. Saul is currently director of the Bermuda Track & Field Association.