materialise, with neither showing up on the start line of yesterday's 21st annual Princess to Princess road race.

And that left the ever-reliable Brett Forgesson to claim his second Princess victory -- his first was in 1992 -- as he warms up for another assault on the marathon in this month's International Race Weekend.

Forgesson may again find himself up against Smith in that 26.2 miler after just 15 seconds separated the two at November's New York Marathon, while Donawa, Smith's heir apparent as local road race king, is expected to run the International 10K.

But yesterday, with Smith and Donawa reportedly carrying nagging injuries, it was left to Forgesson to claim the honours, as he waltzed home in 39 minutes 15 seconds, more than a minute ahead of second-placed Tracy Wright (40.39), and some two minutes faster than his time a year ago.

Karen Adams, meanwhile, reeled in Lynn Patchett late in the 7.1 mile race to retain her women's title in 45.34.

While Forgesson enjoyed a comfortable win, up and coming teenager Tyler Butterfield again served notice that he might be the one to catch in future years as he hounded the winner over the first half of the race before finishing a highly creditable third in 41.18.

Forgesson had caught early leader Wright at around two and half miles before stepping on the accelerator.

Adams used contrasting tactics to secure her second successive win, trailing Patchett by some 50 yards for much of the first five miles before sweeping past her rival and quickly opening up a gap which continued to widen over the last gruelling mile.

Patchett took second in 46.23 with Jane Christie, the first female master, finishing strongly to place third overall in 47.52.

First male master was Andrew Doble (fifth overall) in 42.06 followed by Van Doyling (42.39) and Leon Matthews (42.46), all three placing among the top ten.

Mike Whalley was the first male senior master (over 50) in 46.48 and Christine DeSilva the first female senior master in 67.47.

Full results see Scoreboard.

Photos by David Skinner LEADERS OF THE PACK -- Brett Forgesson and Karen Adams led home the respective men's and women's divisions of the popular Princess to Princess road race yesterday.