Estwanik completes treble

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Chris Estwanik capped off his best ever Bermuda Marathon Weekend by storming to victory in the Half-Marathon yesterday to complete a clean sweep of wins.

Not content with rewriting the history books by becoming only the second local runner behind Cal Bean to win the 10K on Saturday, Estwanik set a personal best in the Half-Marathon in a time of one hour, eight minutes and 35 seconds.

Yesterday’s triumph also handed Estwanik the Bermuda Triangle Challenge title having also won the series’ Mile race on Friday night.

In the absence of a strong elite guest field, Bermuda’s runners were able to shine in the Half-Marathon with teenager Sean Trott coming second (1:12.02) and local policeman Stephen Allen placing third (1:13.05).

For Estwanik, it was a case of saving his best for last with the ex-Nike Farm Team runner hailing his Half-Marathon performance as his best of the weekend.

“I’ve been doing a lot of running lately and I felt really strong out there,” he said.

“I was wondering how I would feel today but I actually felt better than I did during the 10K race.

“I’m a father of two now so my priorities have changed, but I still love it, I love training.”

While the 31-year-old still has personal ambitions to fulfill in the sport, he feels he also has a duty to help nurture and encourage Bermuda’s up and coming runners.

He said he was thrilled see his one-time training partner Lamont Marshall finish second in the 10K, as well as Chayce Smith claim a podium place in the Elite Mile.

“It’s been a great Race Weekend for the Island’s runners and there were some top performances from guys like Lamont Marshall and Chayce Smith,” he said.

“The way it worked out this year the elite runners did the Marathon and that perhaps enabled the local runners to shine a bit more.

“But take nothing away from the local guys because their times would have been up there anyway. Hopefully I can help pass the torch on to some of younger guys because there’s some incredible talent in Bermuda.”

Panamanian Rolanda Bell followed up Saturday’s 10K win by cruising to victory in yesterday’s Women’s Half-Marathon race, finishing in 1:20.48.

The 24-year-old, who is hoping to qualify for this summer’s Olympics in the steeplechase, said she hopes to return to Bermuda to defend her twin titles next year.

“It’s was the first time I have done the triple race and I’m obviously pleased with how it’s all gone,” said Bell, who finished sixth overall.

“The 10K was a tough course on Saturday but I was still hoping to break 1:20 as I know that’s what I’m capable of.

“Depending on what sort of shape I’m in I’d love to come back to defend my titles next year, I love Bermuda.”

Madrea Hyman, of Jamaica, finished second in 1:22.05 ahead of Ashley Estwanik who was the first local female across the finish line, coming third overall in 1:25.53.

Estwanik, the wife of Chris, was pleasantly surprised with her display considering she had given birth to the couple’s second child just six months ago.

She spent much of the race running alongside her cousin Spencer Butterfield, the brother of Olympic triathlete Tyler, who finished a credible tenth overall (1:25.19).

“It got a little lonely along South Shore but then I managed run alongside my cousin Spencer which was good fun,” she said.

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