There was an increase in participation for the Butterfield & Vallis 5K with 1,046 runners and walkers hitting the road on Sunday morning.

With conditions perfect for running, some of the island’s best road runners came out a week after taking part in the Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

Philip Woollins, who completed the Half Challenge, was the first across the line in the 5K. He clocked 17min 47sec, with Christopher Harris not too far behind in 17:54. Corey Brunton was third in 18:29.

Woollins, who was 18 seconds quicker than when finishing third a year ago, was pleased to be part of a huge number of participants in the annual race.

“Somebody told me this is the most finishers they’ve ever had and most runners and walkers,” Woollins told The Royal Gazette.

“We had over a thousand, which is really good as it’s always a nice atmosphere before and afterwards.”

Woollins’s wife and friends were doing the walk and the 5K winner decided not to be left out, jogging back and walking the last 2km with his better half.

“My wife and some of our friends were turning up for the walk so couldn’t skip it,” Woollins said.

“I think my time was quicker than I’ve done for this course, but it felt pretty hot today. We didn’t have too many of the quick guys as most people are still recovering but Chris Harris is normally really quick and I had never beaten him in a race before this one.

“I got to the bottom of Berkeley relatively close to Chris and thought I’d try and overtake him over the hill. I got him at the bottom of Berkeley and just about stayed away.

“I looked back with about 500 metres to go and he was pretty close. I was a bit worried but I got away from him with the last few hundred.”

Estienne Coetzee was the first woman across the line in 19:03 to finish seventh overall. Colette Durkin (19:26) claimed second and the last spot on the podium went to Stepanka Sprincova (19:34).

Coetzee, who ran the Allshores 10K last Saturday, was pleased to achieve success at the first time of asking.

“It was my first time running in this race and it feels great to win,” she said.

I just tried to go as fast as I could, but I thought the course was quite hilly.

“I was trying to keep up with some of the guys that go to Mid Atlantic Athletic Club track, the ones I run with every week.”

Commenting on the turnout, Lauren Purvey, general manager of Butterfield & Vallis’s consumer products division, applauded the running community for supporting chosen charity Dementia Bermuda.

“It’s very exciting, especially for Dementia Bermuda, who are the charity we’re supporting this year,” she said.

“All of the proceeds from entries go towards them. It’s really great to have the staff and community come out and participate and come together for this great event.”