Chris Estwanik, the five-times May 24 champion, will decide this week whether or not he competes in the Bermuda Marathon Weekend.

Estwanik, who finished second in Sunday’s Fairmont-to-Fairmont race, when he equalled the course record, has been on the road to recovery since he tore muscles in the back of his right knee last May. Suggesting he may run either the 10K or half-marathon if his body permits him, the former Nike Farm Team athlete said he intended to make a decision soon.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I will probably do either the 10K or the half-marathon if I do go out and run,” said Estwanik, who won the 10K and half-marathon in 2012.

“It’s still early for the decision, and I wanted to go out on Sunday and see how it felt back on the road to gauge how the knee would hold up.

“If I do run, it will be one of those two races. It felt good to be out there. I was pleasantly surprised at how I felt and how the knee reacted.

“As far as the competition, it was good to be out there racing against fast guys.”

Estwanik battled all the way with Fairmont-to-Fairmont winner Harry Mulenga, of Zambia, who kicked clear of his nearest rival going up the steep Princess Driveway at The Fairmont Southampton. Estwanik crossed the finish line second in 36 minutes and eight seconds. Forced to pull out of last year’s May 24 race on medical advice, victory would have resulted in him claiming a sixth title in the annual spectacle.

Estwanik’s comeback trail began in November, winning both the Man on the Run 5K and the Bacardi 8K. While pondering whether to compete in Bermuda Marathon Weekend, Estwanik said that he had to look at the bigger picture and listen to his body.

“I have been to the physiotherapist who has been instrumental in making sure I don’t come back too quickly and giving the green light when certain races come up,” he added.

“Beyond that, it has been a slow and steady progression of training. I’m about 80 per cent, but I also have to be patient as the last injury I had was about ten years ago and I was a lot younger.

“As the body gets older, you have to take more care with your recovery process. The bigger goal is to be involved in May 24 this year, and I hoping to get another marathon in this year, which will be in the fall, but in the interim I will just go out and enjoy my racing.”

The Bermuda Marathon Weekend starts next Friday.