Race director Peter Head watches Steve Dawes cross the finish line two years ago. (0833661)

STEVE DAWES’ return to the Guernsey marathon start line at Footes Lane on Sunday does not guarantee him victory.

And he full well knows that.

Dutchman Neals Strik is the quickest man in the field and all told there are four men with predicted times inside 2hr 30min.-2-35, well inside the Guernseyman’s winning time of 2-43-54 two years ago.

It’s five years since Dawes, Guernsey’s No. 2 distance runner behind Lee Merrien, who is otherwise engaged preparing for an altogether more important marathon, the World Championship, clocked 2-32-17 for the distance in marathon. He has since run just one more marathon, his 2009 cakewalk around island roads, and 13 ‘halfs’.

Dawes, who decided to enter the event only a couple of weeks ago, said he will be under-cooked on Sunday and does not expect to win.

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