she has improved over the distance in the intervening 12 months, knocking 11 seconds off her time as she repeated her win in much more trying conditions.

The 27-year-old, who hopes to qualify for Canada's Olympic team in the track version of the 10K -- the 10,000 metres -- put the decimation of the women's field from injury and illness out of her mind to finish two minutes and 33 seconds ahead of her nearest challenger.

That was fellow elite runner Petra Staskova, of Slovakia, who, in turn, has her sights set on Sydney in the 1,500 metres.

Bermuda's Anna Eatherley was third in the women's race, just half a minute behind Staskova with a time of 37:49.

Babcock, averaging 5:36 a mile, clocked 34:44, coming in 13th overall despite the mixture of hail, rain and biting winds that punctuated the morning.

"I was worried about the wind but I just tried to stay relaxed and keep my rhythm,'' she said afterwards.

"So I was happy I could run faster in these conditions.

"Last year was my first 10K and I was a little uncertain. This year I just wanted to be steady.

"There were people with me for about the first half mile, then I just wanted to go out and do my own thing. I had a few of the men that I was trying to work with on North Shore, like Mark Morrison, and that worked out well.

She added: "It's great to win, that was my goal coming back -- to try and defend -- although the competition wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be.

"But the conditions were definitely the worst I've had for road running -- and even close to the worst conditions I've encountered on the track. I've had a few windy track races, but this is right up there.'' Staskova, running her first Bermuda 10K, admitted she was surprised by how hilly the course was.

But the blonde, slight Eastern European, who has been training in North Carolina, still found time to admire the scenery.

"I found it was a very challenging course,'' she said, "but it was beautiful, I love it.

"I think with the hills and the weather I was happy with what I ran.

"I'm trying to make the Olympic team for the 1,500 metres so this was good training for me at this time of year.

"Next, I'll go back to America where I have indoors in front of me. I'll do a couple of indoor races and then get back outdoors.'' Lynn Patchett finished second among local women competitors in 40:30, 37th overall, with Georgia Belboda third, and 48th overall, in 42:12.

Weekend double: Anna Eatherley was first local female finisher in both Saturday's 10K and yesterday's half marathon.

Looking good: Annette Hallett smiles for the camera as she completes the first half of yesterday's marathon. Hallett went on to become Bermuda's first female finisher.