countries competing in the CAC Cross Country Championships in St Lucia yesterday.

Smith was the seventh runner in the field of 40 to complete the challenging 7.5-mile course in a time of 41 minutes, 47 seconds.

Despite reeling from the blow of losing Jay Donawa, who fell and fractured his collar bone during the International Race Weekend 10K last Saturday, the team bettered the seventh place they achieved in Costa Rica last year.

Bermuda's 1500 metres Commonwealth Games finalist Terrance Armstrong ran 44:46 to finish 20th, one place and eight seconds ahead of team-mate Tracy Wright.

Donawa's replacement Jamal Hart was 24th in 45:43.

Bermuda coach Gerry Swan was satisfied with their efforts on the hilly course along the perimeter of the Cap Estate Golf Club.

And he had particular praise for Smith, whom he said had done well to finish in front of every runner from the winning country, Jamaica.

"Kavin ran extremely well and he looked like he would get sixth place, but a runner from St Lucia caught him in the last 200 metres,'' said Swan.

For Smith, it was another fine performance to follow his success during Race Weekend, when he was first local in the 10K and half-marathon.

Jamaica beat last year's winners Mexico into second. Hosts St Lucia came third and Guatemala fourth.

Swan said that although conditions had been about ten degrees cooler than the gruelling 90-degree heat of Costa Rica, this year's course had been tougher.

And while pleased with the team effort, the coach conceded that the loss of Donawa had weakened their chances of success.

"Jay Donawa is one of our top athletes and he and Kavin Smith are very close in terms of fitness and performance levels,'' said Swan. "This was one of the main events Jay was preparing for. This is pure speculation, but I do think that he and Kavin would have finished relatively close together.'' One of the team's targets was to get the better of St Lucia -- something which may have been possible with a fit Donawa -- but the Caribbean team has now finished just ahead of Bermuda for three successive years. Donawa, a veteran of the team which won a CAC bronze medal two years ago, travelled with the team and Swan said he had contributed in every way he could.

"Throughout our stay, Jay was supportive of the team and moved around different points on the course during the race to offer encouragement and advice to our runners.''