Letko proved fruitful yesterday as they both romped to victory in the inaugural running of the ADT Bermuda Half-Marathon.

Each employed similar tactics, attacking from the start and once they had created a gap between their nearest competition they continued to maintain a steady pace to the finish. Only a strong headwind and piercing rain on North Shore Road served to slow the pair on their quest to the title.

"Oh boy was I feeling it (fatigue) on North Shore,'' said Lauck, who also competes in triathlons and biathlons. "I got isolated (from the other runners) early in the race and knew I was going to pay for it later.

"I tried to look at the shore and take my mind off running and be more relaxed, but that turn (onto St. John's Road) couldn't come soon enough.'' Lauck was timed in one hour, 10 minutes and 25 seconds, over two minutes ahead of fellow American David Mitzi who was second, with Bermuda's Tracy Wright (1:13:48) third.

Paul Freary capped off a fine week of running, capturing fourth-place honours.

The Briton had been quite busy since arriving 11 days ago -- he won last Sunday's Princess to Princess road race; was fifth in the Bank of Butterfield Elite Mile; and eighth during Saturday's ADT Bermuda 10-K.

"I think I gave them their money's worth,'' said a jovial Freary. "Today my main intention was to jog around and enjoy it even though it was hard work.

"It's just been a brilliant week. One that was well organised and well run.'' Yesterday's result, meanwhile gave Letko double reason to celebrate coming on the heels of her win in Saturday's 10-K.

"It was really easy out there for me today,'' said Letko, who was also eighth overall in 1:18:12. "I ran evenly and in a constant rhythm.

"I just wanted to get in a long run for added training.'' Indeed her margin of victory was a long one as the second-placed female, Cynthia Ulrich of Massachusetts, did not arrive at the finish line until 10 minutes later, having clocked 1:29:57.

Jane Christie (1:32:51) was next and also took local female honours for her effort.

Lauck seized the initiative from the outset, surging to the front of the pack, carrying Wright with him.

The pair ran shoulder to shoulder for two miles before Wright eased off the pace heading past Botanical Gardens on South Shore.

"I didn't really have much of a plan for today, I wanted to run hard but not as hard as I ended up doing,'' Wright said. "At the start we were going along and he (Lauck) said, `Let's go' so I went with him for the first couple miles and then settled into my own race.

Wright would eventually be overhauled by Mitzi on North Shore and his hopes for second place were dashed.

But this race belonged to Lauck who at one stage led by more than half a mile.

The 27-year-old looked comfortable throughout, waving and smiling at spectators lining the route. He averaged 5:20 per mile with his slowest being a 5:38 posted for the ninth mile.

Lauck was in a virtual sprint the last two-plus miles to the finish, scorching through those in just over 10 minutes and getting a much deserved ovation.

INAUGURAL WINNER -- American James Lauck breaks the tape to capture the first ADT Bermuda Half-Marathon after a fine display of front running.