All systems are a ?go? for the May 24 Marathon Derby with almost 500 runners slated to compete in the annual run from Somerset to the National Sports Centre.

Organiser Berwyn Cann said there had been the usual last-minute flurry of entries as the deadline drew nearer. On Thursday alone more than 70 runners signed up and yesterday evening the total stood at 482.

Responding to a complaint by some top athletes that the markings for each mile were incorrect, he noted that ?one or two markings might be a half-inch out? and that the only thing that must be accurate is the finish line.

?Everything is ready and we expect another great race,? said Cann, encouraging spectators to get out on the streets early to cheer on the athletes.

A pitched battle is expected among the Island?s road-running trio of Kavin Smith, Jay Donawa and Terrance Armstrong, the latter having flown in on Thursday from the USA.

For reigning Marathon Derby champion Smith another win would be his tenth victory and sixth in a row while his two arch rivals are in search of their first success.

Others in contention for top honours include brothers Larry and Lamont Marshall, Sylvester Jean-Pierre, Jamal Hart and Andrew Wadman.

Another well-known personality who was supposed to compete ? and whose presence would have added some fireworks to the race ? is triathlete Tyler Butterfield. He was scheduled to arrive today from Greece to take his place among the big boys but a last-minute invitation to compete at a triathlon in Tong Yeong, Korea, on June 12 squashed his marathon plans.

?It?s just too much time travelling just to do a run. He realised the toll it takes on his body and training and since he is going to the Olympics for triathlon he will continue his training in Athens before going over to Korea in two weeks,? explained Patty Petty who oversees Butterfield?s interests.

Meanwhile, the two ladies predicted to battle for the women?s crown are both quietly confident.

Defending champion Anna Eatherley declared she is ?ready? to mount stout resistance to Lynn Patchett?s challenge.

?Obviously I would like to retain it, yes. My training has gone well and I have been fairly consistent and I have run all the races this season,? said Eatherley who will also be appearing in her first May 24 race as a Master.

Patchett made no bones about wanting to recapture the title she first won in 2002 but relinquished last year.

?That?s one goal,? she acknowledged. ?I think it will be a good battle on the day. My preparation has gone better than last year for this race and I want to run faster than I have before on the course.?

The 37-year-old whose best time is one hour, 28.02 minutes two years ago feels stronger and has geared her training specifically for this event.

?Last year I was doing a combination of biking and running but I?ve put the bike aside for a month this time and focused on my running.?

Ricky Sousa is also among those competitors on a mission as he strives to be the top male Master.

?I?ve put quite a bit of time into training and I?m looking forward to having a good race in the Masters. It?s one of the hardest divisions.

?There are a few others who will really be battling for position ? Brett (Forgesson), Andrew Wadman, Manuel Lopes and Colin Swan. All of us are 40 and over and that?s going to be a race within itself.?

Based on their nail-biting results this year, the 41-year-old anticipates high drama in that age-group tussle which he is ?really looking forward to?.

?I would like to win it if not come second or third but I know it?s going to be very competitive because me and these guys have been very close in races. It?s going to be very tough,? he said, adding that he would also like to place in the overall top ten.

Forgesson, in his first year at Master level, joked that while he would be running he didn?t not know if he would consider himself ?competing?.

?I?ll be out there to enjoy the day,? said the veteran.