Storming across the finish line only seconds outside his own course record, Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby winner Chris Estwanik delivered a textbook example of long distance front running as he led from gun-to-tape to claim his third consecutive Bermuda Day Derby title in one hour, eight minutes and 47 seconds.

And he admitted afterwards that his reputation as a race tactician was on the line after he decided to go it alone from the start rather than tag along in the leading pack to watch how things developed.

"I wanted to make it a good effort and I went out from the gun. Some people might say it was a stupid thing to do and that I should have sat back with the other guys. I was aware that I didn't want to be told afterwards that I shouldn't have run it this or that way. I wanted to run my own race," he said.

As it turned out, Estwanik had no need to worry. His race plan worked and quickly separated him from the rest of the 800 or so runners. By the first mile he was stretching away from eight-time runner-up Jay Donawa, with Lamont Marshall and Tyler Butterfield also in close pursuit.

Estwanik, a former US Olympic team triallist at 1,500m, set out with the goal of running each mile between five minutes and 5.10. He was soon shaving seconds from his 2009 mile mark splits, and tellingly he felt much more comfortable than he had a year ago.

"I did not take any risks. I ran a strong race at a more consistent pace. At the back of my mind I was conscious that Tyler and Lamont could have a bag of tricks ready as they did not come with me. I was surprised by that and thought 'oh oh, what's going on behind me?'"

It wasn't until mile 11, heading into Hamilton, that he realised he was close to a course record pace. He pushed through the streets of the city and powered across the finish line on Dutton Avenue, missing his 2008 benchmark of 1.08.25 by only 22 seconds.

"Given the conditions I was surprised I ran that close to the record. I couldn't believe how well I felt this year at the end," he noted, saying he had not yet made a 100 percent transition from being track mile specialist to a long distance road runner but was now much stronger as an endurance athlete.

And he praised the people of Bermuda for making the race so special and inspiring him to want to compete even though his years as a professional are behind him.

Describing the enthusiasm of spectators as "unique" and "awesome", he added: "I'm grateful for this opportunity. If it was not for Bermuda and this race I might not be racing. It was great to see the likes of Jay (Donawa) at the start line. It proved to me it is a hard thing to try and keep away from this race."

The battle for second position switched from Donawa to Marshall and finally to Butterfield over the 13.1-mile distance.

For much of the middle section of the race multi-national record holder Marshall, who placed second in 2008, appeared on course to replicate that achievement. But it was not to be, and he was overtaken by Butterfield on East Broadway.

Butterfield, more familiar with having to swim and cycle before doing a running race, admitted he wasn't really sure how to warm himself up for a straight-out road race. Consequently, it took him a number of miles before he reached his optimum racing speed.

"The wind was a factor and my feet were slipping a little on the wet roads. Lamont came past me in mile one and ran the middle miles very quickly. I thought 'good for him'. Jay was ahead of me also until mile four. I think each of us ran our own race," he said, after finishing in 1.11.01.

"I was aiming for a time around 1.10 and wanted to keep within three minutes of Chris. On East Broadway I heard I was two-and-a-half minutes behind Chris, so I picked it up. That's where I went past Lamont."

He was pleased to better his 2009 finishing time and, like Estwanik, praised the crowds: "It was great. There were thousands of people out there. If it was not for those spectators I don't know if I would make the journey back from my training home in Colorado. This is a unique half-marathon."

Marshall finished third in a repeat of last year's one-two-three. However, he broke his personal best for the distance in the process, finishing in 1.12.24.

His father and coach Larry Marshall Sr. pinpointed an exuberant fourth mile as the mistake which cost him in the end.

"He made one mistake and that was in the fourth mile, which he ran in 5.01 as he was trying to catch Chris. He closed the gap to 75 or 80 metres at Barnes Corner but he did too much, too fast. This is a race where one mistake can cost you. He appreciates that Chris has raised the bar so high and Tyler ran a commendable race for second," said Marshall Sr.

Fourth-placed Donawa, a former World Cross Country Championship runner, ran a time of 1.14.13. He spoke highly of the reception given to competitors by those lining the roads. He said: "I was well received by the crowds. There were a lot of people on the sidelines and sitting in cars giving support. Once I got into the city I just had fun and engaged with the crowd, which is something I don't normally do.

"I went into the race being realistic about my chances. I thought top four would be good and maybe I could get one of the (top three) guys, but I wasn't really too focused on a position. I wanted to have a wholesome run. This is my first May 24 finish since 2007. Finishing was my main goal.

"It was tough conditions and the roads were slick. Lamont came past me and he was going at a good clip."

Reflecting on what the race means to him, and the example he has set as an athlete, Donawa said: "For me it is all about representing the community. I was a young, black male growing up in the community and was exposed to much of the anti-social behaviour that was going on, but I went on to represent the hard-working individuals of Somerset and I think that is probably why I have been given so much support."

Bermudian marathon record holder and two-time May 24 champ Ray Swan, now 72, was amongst the past legends taking part in the race and he believes he may have set another Island age record after crossing the line in an improved time of 1.46.56

He last won the race outright in 1981 having moved into the masters' age division (over-40). This year he trained for the event for five months, running four days a week, which included beach running sessions.

"I wanted to get a good time. I don't feel too tired. I wanted to go faster but I was afraid one of my legs was going to cramp up so I kept the same pace all the way," he said.