Kenya's Richard Tirop Kessio crowned his International Race Weekend Marathon debut with a comfortable win over reigning champion Teklu Terefera Deneke.

Kessio, 35, launched an early breakaway and established an unassailable lead, posting a time of two hours 17 minutes and 32 seconds – the fastest race weekend marathon time for 20 years and fifth quickest in the event's history.

Ethiopian Deneke came in almost three minutes later in 2.20:25.

Ukranian Sergii Okseniyk finished in third place in a time of 2.37:35, while Bermuda veteran Kavin Smith came an impressive fourth in what was his first marathon on local soil for a number of years, clocking. 2:45:27

Kessio, who placed fourth in the Azalea Trail in 2008, vowed to return to the Island to defend his title next year:

"I broke away early on and had to race by myself for a long time," he said. "The support was very friendly, I like the Bermuda people. I am very pleased with first place and I will return next year."

Runner-up Deneke said a foot blister and cramp prevented him from running at his best.

"I had a few problems," said the 29-year-old, who defeated six-time winner El-Afoui Boubker last year. "I had a blister on my foot and cramp, it was hard for me to keep my pace down. I am not too disappointed, second place is not too bad."

Elena Orlova, of Russia, was the first female runner to cross the finishing line with a time of 2:47.26, beating off Ethiopian Muliye Gurmu (2.56.12), and ex-Bermuda resident Dawn Richardson, a former May 24 Marathon winner, who came home in 3.08.24.

Orlova said she was disappointed she was unable to set a new race record.

"It was very hot, very difficult and I had to run 20 miles with cramp and hip ache," said the 39-year-old, speaking through an interpreter. "My only disappointment was that I could not make history by setting a record.

"It was the first time I have run the Race Weekend marathon, I ran the half-marathon about five years ago and came third.

"The conditions were good, the organisation was good and the support was great. It is a good that we have our names above our numbers so everyone could yell our names. Hopefully I will be back next year to defend my title."

Multiple May 24 Marathon champion, Smith, was the quickest local male and said his performance proved he still had the desire to compete.

"I did exactly what I wanted to do," said the 42-year-old. "I have been running now for 32 years and I still enjoy it. I have not run a marathon for some time and I have not ran a marathon in Bermuda for a very long time.

"I told my wife back in November that I had the desire to do it. I have had a good training programme and stuck to it. I ran a very mature race, a very smart race. I kept a slow pace at the start which is the key for marathon running.

"The weather was awesome, it was a real blessing considering the torrential rain we have had recently."

Kari Van Camp, 36, was the first local female to finish in a time of 3.44.15.