While running from one Princess to the other, all the major players were casting their minds ahead to next week and the increased competitiveness of International Race Weekend.

For Jay Donawa, who captured the Fairmont to Fairmont prize for the sixth competitive year yesterday, that was particularly easy to do once he had opened up a gap significant enough to guarantee comfortable victory.

In finishing in 38 minutes and 26 seconds, Donawa was delighted with his pre-Race Weekend workout and yet another big win on the undulating 7.2 mile inter-hotel course.

“The aim was to win but I didn't stretch myself too much,” said Donawa, who was 63 seconds outside Kavin Smith's record but a whopping three minutes and 55 seconds ahead of second-placed Brett Forgesson.

“I didn't go all out. I wanted to be in a position where my legs could recover easily for next week. I am registered for the 10K and the Half-Marathon and I will decide later this week which one to do, or whether to do both.

“This was an important workout for me.

“I pushed at first and then just settled in at a comfortable pace once I had established a decent gap from the guys behind.

“I've won this five times already but I didn't just think it was going to be automatic that I win it again. But once I got into the position I wanted, I just relaxed.

“It made it a lot easier for me to use the race as a workout when there was such a big cushion, although it would have been nice if it had been a little more competitive out there.”

Forgesson finished second in 42:21 followed by the Naude brothers, with Evan (42:58) stepping home ahead of Riaan (43:00).

In the women's race, Lynn Patchett, Anna Eatherley and Victoria Fiddick had an old-fashioned battle before Patchett came away with a first Fairmont to Fairmont victory and a rare defeat of rival Eatherley.

The three women were grouped close together early on before Patchett and Fiddick broke away to give the former her win and, again, the perfect preparation for this weekend's athletics festivities.

“It was nice to win this one but for me the most important thing was to gauge my fitness,” said Patchett, whose 47:15 finish placed her 18th overall with Fiddick coming in seven seconds later. Eatherley finished 24th in 49:22.

“I'm delighted with where I am with it at this stage of the year and this was a good race for me ahead of next weekend.

“I am going for the Half-Marathon, that is my favourite distance. I am already looking forward to it. I don't expect to beat any elite athletes, unless they are injured, but I am looking forward to a good race and running with some good company.

“I have no real lofty goals for next week, just a solid race. But after this race I feel I am in good shape. I have done some strength training and it seems to be paying off.”

And as for beating perennial rival Eatherley?

“That was nice but I don't want to make too much of it. She is 40 now and she is a very good runner.”

Matthew Spring was victorious in the Fairmont Hotels Junior 3K in a time of eight minutes and 32 seconds with Trey Simons, who won his age group, second, crossing the line 15 seconds later.

Ashley Berry was the first girl over the line in a time of 10:25, which placed her 12th overall.