Christopher England completed a half-marathon for the first time yesterday -- and romped home to victory in the second fastest time in the history of the Race Weekend's 13.1-mile event.

The American 10,000 metres specialist surprised himself by winning in one hour, seven minutes and 43 seconds, and denied second-placed Paul Freary a fifth successive half-marathon triumph.

"I was a bit concerned by the distance, because I'd never attempted a half-marathon before,'' said Ohio-based England, who finished fourth in Saturday's 10K.

"I ran my own race and felt stronger with each mile, surprisingly. I didn't even know the course, so I had no idea what was coming up ahead of me. I just kept cranking away and hoped I wouldn't run out of gas.

"I train in Columbus with steeplechasers -- I think that helped my strength with those hills I was going up.

"I kept waiting to run out of energy, because I didn't eat breakfast this morning. Unfortunately, I ended Paul's streak, but maybe it's time for a changing of the guard.

"After my poor performance in the 10K, I needed to do something good to make sure I get invited back.'' Englishman Freary set off at a cracking pace, completing the first two miles in 9:50, and by that time, only England had stuck with him.

Freary said: "I set off fast just to see who was taking it seriously, if you like, and who was along just for the ride. And it soon became evident that it was just going to be the two of us.'' By the third mile marker, Freary had opened up a 30-yard lead, but two miles later, England had caught up and opened up a 40-yard lead of his own.

"I think maybe I tried to break away too early and we were at 5:05 pace up to about five miles,'' said Freary. "I was just in that space where you're running on your own for a while and I think I lost concentration a bit. My head went down and there was no coming back from there.

"Chris ran a clever race. He hung in there while I was going too fast, then he broke away when he knew I was going to be hurting.'' Third-placed Kavin Smith came in just 18 seconds behind Freary, showing little effects of the flu from which he is still recovering, as he recorded a time of 1:09:16.

It was the third successive year that Smith had led home the locals and his time was more than two minutes better than his effort last year and only 25 seconds outside his Bermudian half-marathon record.

Asked how he had dealt with his illness, Smith answered: "The last few races, there always seems to have been some factor which should have worked against me. I believe that was allowed to happen so the good Lord could show the people, if you have faith in the Lord, just what He can do for you.'' He added that he had Freary in his sights as the finish line approached.

"Freary was getting a little tired,'' said Smith. "It works both ways -- when you're chasing you've got an incentive to catch up and when you're being chased it makes you keep surging and keep that gap, which is what he did. He was hanging on in the end because I was coming up pretty fast.'' He added that the sponsorship he has enjoyed from TeleBermuda International had been a factor in his continuing improvement.

American Julie Peterson was the first woman finisher in 1:21:08 and was 12th overall, despite suffering the effects of a stomach bug.

"Two nights ago, I was in the emergency room at the hospital here in Bermuda,'' said Massachusetts-based Peterson. "I had a reaction to something I ate.

"So I'm pleased because I was still feeling a bit off today. I pulled away at eight miles and I could tell there was a gap, so I just tried to motor on ahead.'' It was a second Race Weekend half-marathon victory in three appearances for Peterson, who won in 1996.

Anna Eatherley retained her local title and was second overall in the female category.

And her time of 1:24:05 was a vast improvement on her 1:25:50 last year, as she repeated her half-marathon/10K double triumph.

Lynn Patchett was the next local, four minutes further back, and is now concentrating her efforts on preparing for the Boston marathon, which she missed last year through injury.

Bermuda's best: Washington-based Bermudian Terrance Armstrong (left) chases England's Paul Freary during Saturday's 10K. Armstrong was the top local finisher, placing sixth overall.

Same again: Canada's Courtney Babcock races clear for her second successive victory in Bermuda's International 10K.