rivalry with Kavin Smith will bring the best out of both of them.

Donawa talked down the importance of repeating his triumph of last year in the 13.1-mile event, but admitted that any race pitching him against his training partner Smith had a special competitive edge.

"Kavin and I train together because we can push each other, but in a race situation, it's each man for himself,'' said Donawa. "We're friendly rivals and it always adds flavour when we race.'' A tight battle between the two is in prospect, with Smith, long regarded as the Island's top road runner, having gained some revenge for last year's defeat in the half-marathon by finishing ahead of Donawa to win last Saturday's cross-country championships.

Donawa said he was approaching the race in a completely different frame of mind from last year, when he won in 1 hr, 13 mins and 25 secs.

"Now I'm much more relaxed about my running and enjoying the competition and the training much more.

"I'm not putting so much pressure on myself now and I think I can get more out of myself that way. I see this race as part of my preparation for the long season ahead, not as a do or die event.'' Donawa, 26, an operating room technician at the King Edward VIII Memorial Hospital, feels more comfortable running the shorter distances and is working towards an appearance in the 10K event during International Race Weekend in January.

"Running the longer distances is an important part of my training to enhance my strength,'' he added.

Also defending her half-marathon title will be personal trainer Karen Adams.

The race falls the day after her 36th birthday, but she was not expecting victory to come gift-wrapped.

"I've taken a whole year off running to shake off an injury to my right hip.

I haven't done enough mileage to have a chance of winning and I'll be running to finish,'' said Adams.

The muscular problem in the hip has plagued Adams for several years and she has been forced to adapt her running style to deal with it.

The half-marathon event starts at 9 a.m. at the RAA Club in St George's and the course takes in the North Shore to Black Watch Pass, ending on Elliott Street.