Deon Breary is the PartnerRe 5K road race champion, securing one of the few titles that had previously eluded her.

It was a sweet moment as she crossed the finish line in 20min 30sec, claiming the honours in the event that traditionally features a strong, in depth field of women runners.

Starting and finishing in the Botanical Gardens, the women-only race was led in the early stages by past winner Victoria Fiddick, who was kept company by two young athletes she coaches, Lynsey Palmer and Laura Hope. Close behind were Breary, Kristen Palmer and Melissa Logie.

In warm conditions, Breary opted to run a steady pace, and did not move to the front until the first mile was out of the way.

“I took it out easy. To me it was not about my time, it was about getting back out there and running,” said Breary, 45, whose season started two weeks ago with a cross-country victory at Chaplin Bay.

“I did not think I’d get under 20 minutes because I’ve not done any speed training yet. I’ve been in the gym doing strength work, and that’s what helped today.”

Breary was delighted to add her name to the illustrious list of women who have won the PartnerRe race during its 18-year history. “I always wanted to win this,” she said.

Runner-up Fiddick, 49, has run the race every year and finished in the top three on thirteen occasions. She was satisfied with her morning’s work after crossing the finish line in 21:07.

In the early stages she ran with teenagers Palmer and Hope, encouraging them through the first mile. However, once Breary took the lead, she focused on staying in touch with the eventual winner.

“It was so hot, and in the end I did not care too much about the time,” she said.

Fiddick has had success racing overseas during the summer, including victories in Sweden and Canada at distances ranging from 4K to half-marathon. However, she is still readjusting to competing in the heat and humidity of Bermuda again.

She said she was happy to still be a leading contender, even as she prepares to move into the senior masters’ category next month.

And she praised the performance of the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club juniors she coaches, who gave strong performances in the 5K and junior 2K race.

When asked why she has always competed in the Partner Re event, she answered: “It’s got great organisation, it is always for a good cause, and I love the 5K.”

Third-placed finisher was Kristen Palmer, 29, in 21:14.

In the junior 2K race, Ashley Irby, 14, was the fastest in 6:39, ahead of Jessie Marshall in 6:57 and Holly Bruton in 7:09. In the under-10 category the winner was Zoe Hasselkuss in 7:40, from Jasmin Hasslkuss in 7:43, and Ramiah Brangman in 7:55.

The 5K competitive walk was won in 35:58 by Annette Eve. She said: “I’ve been second for the past three years. This year I decided to keep up with the woman who is always first and stay with her. It was hard, but I got past her on South Road.”

Sheena Young finished second in 36:14, ahead of third-placed Joanne Medeiros 36:45.

The PartnerRe event was rescheduled from October 4, when it was postponed because of Hurricane Joaquin.

“We had almost 1,000 people taking part today, I’m astonished we got so many after having to put it off last week. I hope everyone enjoyed it,” Rose-Anne Hoey, the race director, said:

After three years in charge, Hoey is stepping down from her role. She will miss it, but said it was good to hand over to someone new, and she thanked the volunteers, officials and sponsors for making yesterday’s race a success.

This year’s event raised funds for Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementi.

•For a full list of results, and more pictures from the event click on the link under “Related Media”.