An awesome display of guile, stamina and home-stretch speed took Dmitry Maximov to the top of the medal podium in Saturday's International 10K for the second successive year.

However, unlike 2002 when the Russian had it all his own way, he had to outwit Charles Mulinga of Zambia to retain his title in 29 minutes, 59 seconds in the second event of International Race Weekend.

The latter set the early pace and about seven minutes into the race it was clear the battle would be between him and the defending champion.

For a while, American Christopher England looked like he would try to hang back some metres before pouncing in the later stages but he too soon withered in the distance, leaving an enthralling two-man duel at the front.

Mulinga (39) maintained his brave challenge all along the undulating and winding stretches of Middle Road, with Maximov smartly drafting on the front-runner's right shoulder. Try as he did with odd, but short, bursts of speed Mulinga could not shake last year's winner who, with his tactics, was being shielded from the breezy conditions by the African.

Down into Flatts and along the scenic North Shore Road, the status quo remained the same - Mulinga closely shadowed by Maximov. Suddenly, on the uphill climb of Palmetto Road that changed in the blink of about two paces. Maximov shifted gears and powered ahead, never looking back.

By the time the 25-year-old crossed the finish inside the National Sports Centre, where the event began, he was clear of Mulinga by a good 70 metres.

Speaking with the help of translations by a fellow Russian, Maximov said the wind made this year a lot harder than 2002 but he was naturally pleased to prevail again. One disappointment he noted was that, apart from Mulinga, there were no other contenders for his crown. He would have liked a tighter fight coming to the end.

Interviewed while awaiting mandatory drug testing, Mulinga said candidly that he was "not disappointed" because "I knew I was going to lose".

"I don't have speed right now. I was not doing speed work. He used me. It was too windy so he stayed behind me all the time but I knew he would take over somewhere.

"I just wanted to be in the top three so I am happy," said the runner-up who clocked 30.05.

England too was "pretty pleased" to be third in 31.24, saying that he realised from early on that the top two spots were history. Thus he settled into a solo run for the bronze.

"I started out a bit slow and was quite far behind but I gradually got by a few runners and found myself running alone for the last half of the race.

"I knew I wasn't going to catch first or second - and I'm running tomorrow (yesterday) - so I conserved some energy and used as little as possible to finish third."

It was a good return to Bermuda for this member of the US Army who won the half marathon in 2000 and was fourth in 10K.

Among the women, Katie McGregor of the United States stole the spotlight from marathon specialist Tegla Loroupe, winning in 34.04 and placing tenth overall. Kenyan Loroupe was 11th and the second woman across the line in 35.03, just ahead of England's Kathy Butler in 35:04.

For McGregor it was a case of better late than never. The 25-year-old had arrived in Bermuda late on Friday night because of a missed flight connection but was unperturbed by her travel snag.

"It was great - a bit windy but not that hot or cold either. It was really good for me, especially coming from Minnesota where it's freezing. The course wasn't as hilly as I remember it. The last mile and a half was pretty bad but the rest was fine," said the winner who placed third in the event two years ago.

She and Loroupe were close for about the first three miles but somewhere after that she "lost" her rival.

"She was just behind most of the time, I was blocking some of the wind for her. I don't know when she started falling off. I didn't look back. I just tried to focus on getting it over with," said McGregor.

Loroupe (29) was in no way disappointed not to have won, pointing out that the 10K is not really her race and that it was the start of the season.

"It was windy and hilly. I am not used to running a lot of hills but it was a good course. I did okay because it's the beginning of the year and I am just starting to prepare for the marathon."

The former world record-holder in the women's marathon complimented the organisation of the event and the fans for being "very encouraging on the route" and said she looked forward to competing on the Island again.

Butler, in her first race back following a pelvic injury, was happy with the outcome, given the top-quality women who beat her.

"It was a rough race for me. It was pretty hilly and especially tough on the last mile," said the 29-year-old, racing here for the first time.