Craig Rothwell successfully defended the Eye Institute Classic 5K title that he won last year with a comprehensive victory in warm conditions in St. George's yesterday.

It was home territory for Rothwell and he certainly looked at home as he ran away from the field of 78 - an entry way up on the less-than-a-dozen who turned up for this race only a few years ago.

The transformation of the 5K in popularity has been stunning, and it is clear to see why with the family atmosphere, impressive goody bags, prize draw list and after-race refreshments.

Rothwell turned in a time of 17 minutes, 44 seconds, pursued by Chris Page who clocked 18.25.

The women's race was a battle between Shona Palmer and Andrea Banks with Palmer taking the victory in 21.08 from Banks who finished in 21.47.

In a one-lap junior race, Dage Minors stamped his authority with a victory in 9.44, almost a full minute clear of runner-up Treyshun Sanders.

A further 68 entrants took part in the 5K walk, and it was Davina Dickinson who got around the two-lap course quickest in 35.05 from Steve Hollis.

* Two Bermuda runners saw action overseas with April Vesey and Samantha Stephens opting to forego the warmth of Bermuda for the somewhat chillier climes of Cape Cod in order to run the Hyannis Half-Marathon last weekend.

The sojourn to the US proved rewarding as both set lifetime bests for the 13.1-mile distance. In cool, breezy conditions Vesey stopped the clock at 1.51.13, while Stephens was not far behind in 1.55.17.

Overall race winner was Andrew Wommack (US) in 1.12.35 while the fastest woman was Caitlin Shea-Kennedy (US) in 1.20.03.