local men finished among some elite company in the top 20 and another five including top Master Harry Patchett placed in the top 30.

Jennifer Fisher, meanwhile, ran away from the local females with an impressive 39th placing overall as she crossed the line in 37:43 -- fifth woman overall.

Armstrong had said before the race he hoped to get close to or perhaps even beat the local men's record of 31:41 set by John Beeden back in 1988.

But while he was the best of the Bermuda contingent, beating Tracy Wright by half a minute and Mike Watson by a full minute, that record was never threatened.

And despite taking local honours, the Trenton State College student admitted he wasn't pleased with his time of 32.47.

"I wasn't worried about winning the local race. I was just worried about my time, but it wasn't what I had been hoping for,'' he confessed afterwards.

"I went out too slowly and got caught out. I ended up running most of the race by myself, I needed a top American to pull me through.

"I was too conservative. I had so much left at the end, I couldn't believe it. I went out in 15.53 which is really slow. That's something I can do in practice. In fact I can run pretty much this time (32:47) in practice.'' Armstrong placed 11th overall with Tracy Wright next among the locals in 14th (33:18) and Mike Watson 16th (33:47).

Wright tucked in behind the lead pack in a fast-paced first mile but was caught by Armstrong before the 5K mark.

"I went out too fast and then I paid for it second half,'' said Wright. "I think I might have drunk too much water because my stomach was hurting, but I caught Mike about four miles and then just tried hang in.'' Other good men's performances came from Roger Dill (21st in 34:42), Friday's local mile winner Jamal Hart (23rd in 35:10), Patchett (26th in 35:39), who was the fourth Master overall, and Calvin Steede (27th in 36:42).

Meanwhile, Bermuda teenager Garon Wilkinson ran a superb 37:27 to take first place overall in the 19 and under division. He was the 11th local to finish and placed 35th in a starting field which after late entries swelled to 477.

Jennifer Fisher finished more than one and a half minutes ahead of her nearest local rival Karen Adams (39:27) with Donna Watson third among the locals in 40:53.

Said Fisher: "I felt really good today. My legs were relaxed and I just wanted to keep it smooth.

"I've increased my mileage and put in a lot of speed work. I plan to do more road races this year I don't have any immediate goals, I just want to run well.'' Adams, who also finished runner-up to Fisher in Friday's Mile, said she was still suffering the after-affects of a bout of 'flu.

"I'm very weak right now. My fitness dropped off after I caught the 'flu and my hamstrings were really tight today. I never felt comfortable.'' Terrance Armstrong