Jay Donawa emerged from the shadows of long-time rival Kavin Smith to pip the reigning Bermuda Day Marathon champion at the tape en route to retaining his Butterfield and Vallis 5K crown in a record time of 15 minutes and 45 seconds yesterday.

After running beside Smith for most of the race in blustery conditions, Donawa saved his best for last, prying free of his rival some 200 yards before the finish line on Woodlands Road in one of the closest finishes in recent memory.

Smith completed the short course a mere two seconds behind in 15:45, while young Lamont Marshall finished third in 16:21.

?I was the defending champion and so I decided to come out and put in a hard effort. It was my first race since Race Weekend and so basically I have just been recovering,? explained Donawa afterwards.

?I went into today?s race well rested with an open mind and basically I was able to outlast him (Smith) at the end. So all-in-all I was pleased with the way things went.?

Donawa led a small group of runners which included brother Michael, Sheldon Thompson and Smith early on and by the time he made the turn into the wind onto North Shore Road only Smith was left.

The lead pair then managed to further distance themselves from the remainder of the field to set up an exciting finish.

? I guess you can say that I sort of went into overdrive if you will,? joked a smiling Donawa, who bettered last year?s time by some 13 seconds.

?It?s nice to be ahead of him (Smith) for a change. I have been doing my training and paying my dues and taking things one day at a time. I am just thankful for the way the year has gone so far and I just hope I can remain consistent throughout the whole year.?

Asked whether or not yesterday?s result could be the beginning of a new era in local road running, Donawa commented: ?I wouldn?t read too much into it. Today was a 5K and in terms of 24th of May, this was more like a quarter of the distance. I don?t think you can really use this as a barometer.?

Yesterday?s race saw a record number of entries as some 460 athletes turned up to brave the windy conditions.

In the women?s category, Anna Eatherley took home the honours, finishing 11th overall in a winning time of 18 minutes and 33 seconds with Joanna Shillington (18.53) placing second and Georgia Wharton third in a time of 20:38.

In the boys? 12 and under race, part of the KPMG junior series, Trey Simons edged out Dorian Armstrong by four seconds to claim first place. Simons completed the junior course in a time of nine minutes and 41 seconds with Armstrong a close second in 9:45. Matthew Spring finished third in 9:56.

In the girls? 12 and under, Kerri Furbert clinched the title in 11:7 closely shadowed by Taylor-Ashley Bean in 11:10. Rounding out the top three was Ellen Briers in 11:31.