seconds apart as they led home Bermuda runners in yesterday's annual New York City Marathon.

But on a cool, damp day, the size of Bermuda's entry -- 46 in all and the largest-ever local contingent in the Big Apple race -- remained the only record of note.

Smith led the way in two hours, 41 minutes and 45 seconds, well outside Ray Swan's 16-year-old national marathon record of 2:26.37 set in Boston in 1981, and exactly four minutes shy of his personal best of 2:37:35 over the 26.2 mile distance.

Forgesson chased him over the finish line in 2:42:00, but that too was several minutes slower than his PB.

While overall winner John Kagwe of Kenya came home just 11 seconds outside the course record, clocking a fast 2:08.11, generally the times of Bermuda's runners were slower than expected, and while final results weren't available last night, it's understood some Island athletes failed to finish.

Smith complained afterwards that a ligament injury he suffered back in August continued to hinder him and said he was forced to walk on a number of occasions. He said last night he thought he may have suffered a stress fracture and would be seeing a doctor in New York.

"I was running in a lot of pain through the first seven miles and I was forced to drop back,'' said Smith. "So everything considered, I'm satisfied with my time.'' In a field numbering more than 30,000 both Smith and Forgesson, and Manuel Lopes, who was third among the Bermuda runners in 2:47:02, can be pleased with their overall positions.

Smith finished 153rd, Forgesson 160th and Lopes 240th.

Another impressive performance came from Irish resident David Dunwoody who clocked a creditable 2:48.53 to place 280th overall in his first attempt at the distance.

Only four others from the local group, Calvin Steede (2:54:14, 432nd), veteran Harry Patchett (2:55:58, 497th), Andre Manders (2:59:13, 644th) and Ahmed ElAmin (2:59:14, 645th), ducked under the three hour barrier.

Both Manders and ElAmin were running their first marathon.

Forty nine-year-old Patchett placed 83rd in the Masters division.

Among those likely disappointed with their performances will have been former Front Street Mile winner Jamal Hart who clocked 3:02:16 (794th) and Lynn Patchett, the first local female, who finished in 3:14.39.

Both had been aiming to run under three hours. Patchett finished 72nd among the women.

Of the Bermuda runners who entered, only the following names appeared in the first 10,000 finishers: Kavin Smith (2:41:45, 153); Brett Forgesson (2:42:00, 160); Manuel Lopes (2:47:02, 240); David Dunwoody (2:48:53, 280); Calvin Steede (2:54:14, 432); Harry Patchett (2:55:58, 497); Andre Manders (2:59:13, 644); Ahmed ElAmin (2:59:14, 645); Jamal Hart (3:02:16, 794); Mark Edmunds (3:03:10, 826); Antony Smith (3:07:21, 1048); Lynn Patchett (3:14:39, 1599 (72)); Patrick O'Brien (3:14:42, 1603); Edward Gomez (3:27:00, 2890); Sergio Camilletti (3:30:02, 3367); Gary Wilson (3:34:22, 4015); Graham Fowle (3:48:50, 6861); Kevin Santucci (3:50:33, 7271).

Others who entered, but whose times were not listed under 3:57:00, included: Edwina Arorash, Martin Allen, Alado Balia, Gerhard Boonstra, Donald Bowman, Alison Cameron, John Coakley, Barbara Correia, Nicolene De Waal, Ernest Dunphy, Christopher Eaton, John Edwards, Talia Foa, June Gardner, Karen Gonsalves, Simon Holt, George Jones, John McEwing, Robert Pare, Rhianon Pedro, Brian Rosorea, George Shaw, Donna-Mae Smith, Karen Smith, Sarah Smith, Charles Swart, Elvin Thomas and Susan Verity.

Kagwe wins despite loose lace -- See Page 26 .

ON THE RUN -- Competitors in the 30,000-strong field of yesterday's New York Marathon make their way along Fourth Avenue.