tomorrow as the Marathon Derby, the jewel of the local road racing calendar, takes centre stage of the Heritage Day holiday.

It's still not known if Kavin Smith, last year's winner and record-holder, will answer the starter's pistol, while Anna Eatherley, the reigning queen in the women's division, will definitely be absent as more than 400 runners compete in the 13.3 mile race from Somerset to Bernard Park.

The race begins at 9.30 a.m.

Expected to dominate the men's division is Brett Forgesson, who is running for the fourth time and still searching for his first victory. The New Zealander is coming off wins in the North Shore 10 Miler and Pure Water 10K.

Tracy Wright, a winner in 1990, Errol Cormack, who won in 1992, and Kevin Tucker will provide the stiffest challenge for Forgesson. Wright will be trying to make up for a heart-breaking second place finish to Smith in the ADT half-marathon in January.

Runners will be targeting the 1:11.27 record which Smith established last year.

Maria Conroy Haydon, who finished in second place behind Eatherley in 1993, is considered the favourite in the women's division. Conroy Haydon clocked 1:22.56 a year ago, more than a minute behind Eatherley.

Other key runners are expected to be Karen Adams, although she is suffering from back problems, and Sandra Mewett, a winner in 1992 and women's record holder (1:19.56). Mewett is still recovering from arthroscopic surgery on her left knee just two months ago.

Another interesting match-up will take place in the men's Masters division where Harry Patchett, who finished ninth overall last year in 1:20.05, triathlete Greg Hopkins, Jeremy Ball, Rod Allen, Jim Butterfield, Mike Whalley and Roddy Bassett will all be vying for honours.