Kenyan Sammy N'geno seized the initiative early and cruised to an impressive victory in Saturday's International 10K on what he later described as the toughest course he had run.

N'geno, who had finished second in Friday night's Front Street Mile after leading for most of the race, led from the start again, but this time never looked like being caught.

Americans Bryan Spoonire, Michael Donnelly and Christopher England stuck with N'geno up to the four-mile mark, but then the Kenyan dug deep to open up a decisive lead as the runners battled against a strong headwind as they made their way along North Shore Road.

By the time N'geno turned onto Frog Lane, only Spoonire still had a chance of catching him, but the Kenyan kept up an unrelenting pace to break the tape inside the National Stadium in a time of 30:14.

Half an hour before the start, a hailstorm had all the competitors running for cover, but during the race it was a chilly wind which provided the main problem.

It was the fourth time in five years the International 10K had been won by a Kenyan, following Stephen Nyamu's 1997 win, sandwiched between Charles Mulinga's two triumphs in 1996 and 1998.

Spoonire came in 14 seconds behind N'geno, with Donnelly third, England fourth and Englishman Paul Freary fifth.

Bermuda's Washington-based 1,500-metres specialist Terrance Armstrong led home the local runners, taking sixth place overall in 31:49.

Armstrong's efforts meant a rare defeat by a fellow Bermudian for Kavin Smith, who came in eighth in 32:39, 20 seconds ahead of his friend and rival Jay Donawa.

N'geno, who has a personal best 10K time of under 28 minutes, said after clinching his first Race Weekend title: "I was not aware how tough the course was. It was a very strong wind and we had to fight against that and the hills.

"I thought I had a good chance of winning when I saw how slow last year's winning time was (31:01 by England's Dave Lewis). This was probably my slowest 10K time.'' Armstrong was pleased with his run, but felt the conditions had denied him what he was aiming for -- a new International 10K record for a Bermudian.

Armstrong's time was just eight seconds outside the existing record of 31:41, set by John Beeden in 1988.

"I only run this distance once or twice a year, but I knew I was at least going to break 32 minutes,'' said Armstrong.

"I was really trying to take a shot at the record, but the wind was very strong and that made it difficult and I just missed it.

"I was working with Paul Freary for most of the race, but he pulled away from me up Palmetto Hill.'' Armstrong, the Bermuda 1,500 metres record holder, said his primary goal this year was to qualify for the Sydney Olympics at that distance, but envisaged a time when he would be doing more 10Ks.

"As you get older, you lose a bit of leg speed and then I guess I will start doing more 10Ks and 5Ks,'' he added.

Breaking away: International 10K winner Sammy N'geno (14) sets the pace during the early stages of Saturday's race. Close behind are Paul Freary (4) and Michael Donnelly (3).