Kenya’s Phillip Koech has broken the Bermuda International Race Weekend Half-Marathon record with a stunning solo run a day after he clinched the 10K title.

Koech stretched out the race field early on and ended up with a comfortable four-minute winning margin in one hour, four minutes 27 seconds from American Edwardo Torres.

The new record sliced 46 seconds from the four-year old mark of Russian Dmitry Maximov and wrapped up a successful weekend for the Kenyan who endured a long trip from Niarobi, via London and New York to reach Bermuda.

In the men’s marathon Moroccan El Afoui Boubker returned to winning ways to claim his sixth victory in the event, after finishing runner-up last year. But he was pushed all the way by Habtamu Beleke of Ethopia. Boubker’s time was 2.31.21.

Kenya’s Abela Tola won the women’s marathon in 2.51.34, with Russia’s Venera Sarmosova second just over three minutes adrift.

In the women’s half-marathon it was a switch of fortunes for Kenyan duo Janet Cherobon and Florence Jepkosgei. Cherobon won in 1.18.23, just over a minute ahead of Jepkosgei. However, Jepkosgei had tasted victory herself in Saturday’s 10K when she ran 34.14 to Cherobon’s 34.33.

Amongst local athletes, Chris Estwanik was the best in the men’s 10K where he was seventh overall. Ashley Estwanik set her best for the 10K course when she finished third in the women’s race in 36.59.

In the marathon Peter Mills was top local and sixth overall with a time just outside three hours.

* Full story and full results in tomorrow's Royal Gazette