Yesterday's Marathon Derby was d?j? vu with a difference.

So often the outcome of this athletics showpiece has been a foregone conclusion before runners even reach the first water stop, with the irrepressible Kavin Smith dominating from the start; his feet beating a smooth, solo rhythm through 13-plus miles to their destination as others wilt in the background.

Perennial runner-up Jay Donawa and his overseas-based pal, Terrance Armstrong, sought to change that time-worn script yesterday, making a hasty, early break that lasted more than two thirds of the course.

However, their quest was not to be as Smith proved that, running from in front or coming from behind, his result will be the same - first.

He broke the tape at the National Sports Centre in one hour, 13 minutes and 35 seconds, smiling like he was out for a stroll on the first official day of summer.

This awesome display of power and stamina earned the veteran competitor his ninth straight title and left his nemesis Donawa - frustratingly second for the fifth successive year (in 1:15.11) - to ponder if and how he will ever reach the top of the podium.

“To God be the glory. I've won it eight times before and there's more to this than just running. I left it to the Lord and said ‘Lord, if it's your will'. Today was a blessing,” declared a buoyant Smith, praising his Saviour as he accepted the congratulations of fans inside the stadium.

The 36-year-old had purposefully borne down on the ambitious challengers as they wound their way from Somerset, through Southampton, Warwick, Paget and towards the city. He overhauled the struggling Armstrong along Inverurie Hill and had Donawa - by now looking back frequently to check Smith's progress - well within striking distance.

His legs, working like a windmill on overtime, gobbled up Donawa's 200-metre cushion and by the time the latter rounded the bend on the bottom of Stowe Hill, Smith was on his heels.

In the blink of an eye, the defending champion accelerated past his rival and motored onto a certain victory with just over three miles left.

“I was excited when I saw the guys (Donawa and Armstrong) ahead of me. Terrance faded and then I caught Jay and ran with him for a little while to feel him out - because he's got the speed on me and he'll kill me in a sprint finish - and I decided coming into Crow Lane ‘I'm going to get away from this guy' so I took off with a hard surge into Front Street.

“I backed off a bit at Birdcage and just kept looking behind to make sure I had my bases covered and came home,” said Smith, recounting his journey.

“I have a lot of experience in this race. I knew my condition. I knew I couldn't go out too fast. I went through mile seven to eight in 5.09 minutes and thought ‘Wow, that was fast' and then I did another mile in 5.04 which was faster. I said well if I could put that kind of time in so late in the race to reel those guys in the Lord is working.”

The king of the road noted the Marathon Derby was a race which you “pay for tremendously” if you don't run smart and that was his aim.

“If you run the first part very smart you can get home and that's what I did today. Things fell within reach. I knew if I wasn't pushed too hard in the early stages - going over Burnt House Hill - I could run pretty fast between seven to nine miles, which I did.”

Smith was delighted by the massive welcome he received on Front and Reid Streets - not only from the hundreds lining the city sidewalks - but from scores of passengers cheering from two imposing cruise liners in Hamilton Harbour.

“It was so exhilarating. I have to say thank you to all those people. It was hard not to smile back and greet them though I was running. I really thank the community.”

Though understandably disappointed not to have attained his ultimate goal, Donawa was pleased with his tactics.

“I think I ran the best that I could to try and win the race. I didn't want to sit back and play a waiting game.

I thought I did well. I just ran out of legs after ten miles but I gave it my best shot and the strongest man was victorious today.

“I did train for this race but it's like no other race. No matter how much training you put in, every year is different. There are other years that I've put in less training and run faster. This year I put in some good training . . . all in all I'm pleased I put it down (a challenge) early and didn't sit back and settle for second.

“It just didn't work out but it's not going to deter me from pushing on. I'm going to keep going and know that one day I will win the race. It's just a matter of continuing to build year after year and not be discouraged.”

The 30-year-old said he was “comfortable” running with his good friend Armstrong who flew in from Washington DC to compete. They fed off each other until the overseas-based Bermudian put in a surge on the bottom of Burnt House Hill.

“I didn't panic. I reeled him in but in the back of my mind I knew Kavin would be somewhere. He likes to play those tactical games. Somewhere around ten miles I started running out of legs and he caught me,” said Donawa frankly.

Meanwhile, defending Masters (Over-40) champion Sylvester Jean-Pierre was ecstatic to cop third place, outwitting a lot of younger opposition to finish in 1:20.43.

“It's a surprise. I never had those expectations. I just wanted to enjoy the day and run my own race. Thank God! Top five one year; top three today - what more could I ask for at the age of 45,” said the Barbadian expatriate who was concentrating on retaining his divisional title.

“I had another Master (Andrew Wadman; fourth in 1:20.53) on my back and he's a good runner so I tried to run smart, remembering that the hills can really break you. Coming home we have that final hill (Cavendish Heights) and I knew I had to get away from him there so I saved everything for that.

“I was hurting but it's who wants it the most. Both of us wanted it but I dug deep and went all the way through.”

Armstrong, who finished 14th in 1:24.52, said the humidity affected him though he hoped he had acclimatised enough.

“You can never judge the temperature in Bermuda, it's always tricky and today of all the days I have been here it's been the worst.

“There's not much I could have done. Jay and I worked a bit in the beginning but I began feeling cramps in the back of my legs. I tried to hold on as long as I could but, coming off Burnt House Hill, Jay caught me and I told him to go ahead.

“I gave it a valiant effort. It was all I could do on the day. I didn't want to kill myself so I just sat back and made sure I got to the finish line. That was all I was looking forward to after about eight miles.”

Competing in his first Marathon Derby in 11 years, the 31-year-old promised to not be a stranger in future May 24th races.