When you come from a family of 12 you have to be quick in order to survive.

Brazilian Luiz Ramos put that lesson into practice yesterday when he romped to victory in the Race Weekend Marathon, leaving last year's winner Fedor Ryzhov trailing in his wake to cross the line in 2:26.25.

Ryzhov, tipped by many to retain his title, was blown away, both literally and metaphorically, by a combination of Ramos' cool and calculated running and the high winds that enveloped the Island yesterday.

The weather, however, did not deter Elena Makolova, the Belarussian smashing the women's marathon record which had stood since 1998, crossing the line in 2:40.32.

The male pair, who dropped Kenyan Naftal Mayoyo earlier in the proceedings, had run either side by side or within a couple of feet of each other for most of the race, but a move by Ramos close to John Smith's Bay on the second loop of the 26.2 mile course proved to be decisive.

Both men grabbed a drink at the water station but the Brazilian was the first to regain his rhythm and surged into a lead that try as he might the Russian could do nothing about.

Ramos, though, was cautious all the while, regularly checking over his shoulder to make sure Ryzhov was not within striking distance.

With five miles to go though the threat had disappeared and Ramos was able to relax and even posed for photos as walkers, runners and members of the public got out their cameras to record the moment.

He did, however, find himself caught up in a minor incident along North Shore when the road became clogged with athletes, cars and race trucks.

“Hey, excuse me, excuse me,” Ramos shouted as he squeezed through the narrow gap between other entrants and the official Bermuda Track and Field Association vehicle.

Moments later the same truck, carrying BTFA president Judith Simmons, was in collision with a walker. The woman received a glancing blow to her right side but appeared more shocked and angry than injured.

Ramos, oblivious to the accident continued on his way unmolested. He strode into Hamilton with cheers ringing in his ears and crossed the line full of running, taking the acclaim of those that lined the finish area.

Just under two minutes later the Russian came into view, the same pained expression that he had carried for most of the second half of the race etched on his face as he clocked 2:28.20.

Ramos, who has won six marathons previously, said afterwards it was not as straightforward a race as it might have appeared.

Speaking through interpreter Renata Casey he said: “It was extremely difficult. The wind was extremely tough but I am extremely happy.”

Ramos said he wished he had had time to prepare more for the race but had only received confirmation to take part recently.

“I was hoping to run a better time,” he said. “But I am very happy anyway.”

Ramos said the ease with which he left Ryzhov behind did not surprise him as he believed from the beginning his rival was suffering with the conditions.

“I kept with him for a while to keep the pace up but I knew I was going to leave him,” he said adding the victory was not just for himself. “I would like to thank everyone who supported me, Judith Simmons for making it possible for me to come and for all the people who cheered for me out on the course.

“I am dedicating this to my family of 11 brothers and sisters and to my friend in Bermuda, Dorothy Pacheco, who has cancer.”

Ryzhov, meanwhile, was left to contemplate what might have been after having to settle for second best.

Also speaking through an interpreter he confirmed Ramos' suspicion that he had not felt at his best. “The wind was also no good for him,” she added.

On the local front, Brett Forgesson finished seventh overall in 2:51.21 with Sylvester Jean-Pierre eighth in 2:56.10 and Tracy Wright ninth in 2:58.10.

In the women's race, Yelena Plastinina's record went to Makolova who sprinted across the line to eclipse the previous mark of 2:40.50 by more than 17 seconds.

“The course was good for me because I prepared for this race in Austria,” said Makalova through an interpreter, indicating the undulating Bermudian roads were to her liking.

She was followed in second place by Svetlana Shepeleva from Moldova.

As was the case last year, the first local woman across the line was 50-year-old Annette Hallett in 3:24.26.

Leonard Mucheru, the 23-year-old Kenyan who shattered the Elite Invitational Mile record but failed to break the four-minute barrier, cleared his conscience with a second convincing victory within 24 hours of his Friday night romp through Front Street.

After delighting thousands of Bermuda fans in breaking American Joe Falcon's 10-year-old record in the time of four minutes, 2.6 seconds, Mucheru was on his way to New York on Saturday morning to compete in the Marty Glickman Mile at the Armory Track and Field Centre.

This time, albeit on a 200-metre banked indoor track, Mucheru was significantly under four minutes, as he blew away the field to win by more than eight seconds in 3:55.54, the fastest time of the early season.

Mucheru pocketed $2,000 for the win, which with the $5,000 earned from his exploits in Bermuda, made for a good day's work.