Rose-Anna Hoey admitted it would be hard to spoil the Estwanik parade when the top local runners gather at the starting line on Friday to compete in the Appleby Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby.Chris and Ashley Estwanik have dominated the local running scene for several years dominance that has never been seen by a husband/wife tandem in the history of the May 24 race.Hoey, who was runner-up to Ashley in last year’s annual spectacle, acknowledged “it would be miraculous” if someone was to beat the reigning champion.Her goal, rather, is to beat her time of a year ago.“To be honest, I think Ashley is unstoppable this year,” said Hoey. “She has regained her form really well after Boston (Marathon) and has helped me so much since we started training together and has been a wonderful mentor and source of support.“I really don't know how both she and Chris do it. They work full-time, have two beautiful energetic, young children and compete at a very high level. I’m in awe of them.“I do think there is a good chance, conditions permitting, that they both will break their own course records this year. I do hope that the little pressure Ashley might feel from having me behind her will help push her to complete her fastest half-marathon yet.“My goal will be to better my time from last year and make a return to the podium. I will try to run with Ashley for a bit if I can, and as always I will do my best. You can't forget that there are many other strong ladies out there like Karen Smith, the return of Deon Breary, Victoria Fiddick and Jennifer Alen and I reckon it will be an exciting race to watch.”Having only been on local shores for the better part of three years with her husband David, Hoey has only been running for four.She, along with the Estwaniks and a number of Bermudians were competing in the Bostons Marathon this year where the bombing horror took place.Noting that the tragic events of that day took their toll on her and she stopped running after the marathon, she is now fully focused on this week’s race and ready to take advantage of any slip-up that may happen in front of her.“I only started running just less than four years ago. The last half-marathon I did was in January of this year as part of the Half Triangle Challenge where I did it in a time of one hour, 25 minutes. I did it on tired legs having done two by one-mile races on Friday, winning the Front Street Mile, a 10K on Saturday and a the Half-Marathon on Sunday. I am hoping my full marathon training will stand to me.“My primary running goal for this year was to break three hours in the Boston Marathon, finishing in two hours, 58 minutes, so all of my training centred around that goal. I took a few weeks rest after that challenge and then tried to refocus on May 24. It was difficult given the emotionally and physically draining experience that we all had in Boston.“Up until this week my running felt very 'stale', but thankfully after a tough session with Ashley on Tuesday, I feel a little more back on form now.“And, as they always say, anything can happen on race day — particularly May 24.“I try to run in the afternoons after work in KEMH when it's a little warmer and I also practice taking fluids and electrolytes on the move, both necessary components for success on May 24. I also try not to let the conditions faze me. Everyone else will be running in the same conditions.“Last year I ran one hour, 29 minutes so I am looking to better that and see where that takes me. I would like to wish all of the runners, especially my KEMH, Allied Health Services relay teams good luck and I hope no one is really hurt on the day.”