Ashley Berry won the Labour Day Five-Mile Road Race in impressive style, crossing the finish line 46 seconds ahead of the first man.

The 22-year-old university graduate claimed victory in 32min 5sec and appeared unaffected by the hot and humid conditions.

The same could not be said for a male runner who was not officially entered but ran the race route and was within sight of Berry in the final half-mile along Victoria Street, but collapsed after apparently succumbing to the conditions. The young runner was taken to hospital before being discharged later in the day.

Corey Brunton was the second runner to finish, claiming the men’s title in 32:51.

In the first few miles of the race, Berry settled into a steady pace, running just off the shoulder of lead woman Deon Breary.

Reaching the halfway point on North Shore Road, Berry pulled clear and stretched her lead to secure overall victory.

“I was with Deon for the first three miles,” Berry said. “She helped me get a feel for the pace; I knew she was strong.

“After that, I was picking off the guys ahead of me.”

Berry broke the Bermuda women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase record in May and graduated from Duke University, in North Carolina, this year. She is preparing to study for a master’s degree in pharmaceutical science at Loughborough University in England. Berry also hopes to compete in next year’s Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby.

Second-placed Brunton was pleased with his performance. “It was hard starting out with the downhills and then having the hills later, but it’s a great race,” he said.

Brunton is gearing up to compete in New York’s Fifth Avenue Mile races this month.

Third overall was Jahmai Lottimore, followed by Breary, the second woman. Taking third place in the men’s category, and fifth overall, was Trevor Lindsay.

A formidable competitor in his younger days, the 52-year-old has improved dramatically since returning to the sport two years ago. A grandson of Ed Sherlock, the six-times May 24 half-marathon champion, Lindsay was another runner to benefit by holding back in the early miles.

“I did the first mile in 6:12 and averaged around 6:30 pace,” he said. “I’ve been training in the heat, so today’s conditions weren’t a problem.”

Third woman to finish was Patricia Merritt, who was twelfth overall in 36:52.

There were 65 finishers in the race, which was organised by Swan’s Running Club.

A 1.5-mile race for under-16s was won by Jayden Ming in 7:05, who was a little more than half a minute ahead of Akim Johnson, with Iziah Tucker following close behind. First girl was Jade Johnson in 8:51.

The five-mile walking event was won by Robert Thomas in 57:29, ahead of Joseph Matthews and Sinclair Smith. First woman was Sheena Smith.