It was a case of the old and new in winners' row yesterday morning as Jay Donawa and Ashley Couper ran away with top honours in the first athletics event of 2003, writes Gayle Alleyne.

It was the very familiar face of Donawa - victorious for the fourth successive occasion - crossing the finish first as the Fairmont to Fairmont (formerly the Princess to Princess) Race ended at Whaler Inn.

While the men's perennial champion was savouring yet another triumph in the 26th edition of the race, the script was being rewritten among the women as a resurgent Ashley Couper dethroned last year's victrix Anna Eatherley. Donawa's winning time was 37.58 minutes while Couper, who was 15th overall, clocked 44.46 minutes.

Sylvester Jean-Pierre finished second in 41.07 minutes; Sheldon Thompson, third in 41.13 and Brett Forgesson, fourth in 41. 24. Eatherley's 46.15 minutes were good enough for 20th overall and second among the women.

"Race conditions were ideal - not too much wind. My plan was to establish a rhythm early in the race and I was able to do that. I got to the first mile in just under five minutes and I maintained that rhythm. All in all I am pretty happy with my effort," said Donawa.

Of course, the 30-year-old - who was more than three minutes ahead of Jean-Pierre - did not go "all out", saving his energy for International Race Weekend in two weeks' time.

"My main goal is the 10k but I will double up with the half marathon. I am going to run really hard in the 10k and hope I have some legs left over for the half marathon the next day.

"Running sub 1.12 (hours) for the half marathon and 32 minutes or better in the 10k would be very good for me. I am looking to do my best against the foreign opposition," said Donawa of his aspirations for later this month.

Couper (25) had initially planned to try and keep pace with Eatherley and see what happened. However, she felt good enough to make an early move and it paid off.

"I have been doing a lot more long-distance training this year and I am feeling really good. I wanted to do my best and I just went for it."

She too is gearing up for International Race Weekend where her priority will be the Front Street Mile though she will also compete in the 10k.

"I think I could have a good 10k time with the distance training I have been doing. Ultimately, my event is the 1,500 metres and my aim is to see what meets I can get into this summer," she said.