English runner Neil Speaight set the record straight after a disappointing performance in last year's men's elite race by regaining his KPMG Front Street Mile title with a comfortable victory.

Cheered on by thousands of spectators who lined Front Street last night, the 2007 winner exploded into a sprint finish to edge ahead of Kenyan Haron Lagat and close friend James Thie, of Wales, with a time of 4:19.

Although the magical four-minute barrier – and $10,000 bonus on offer – was never threatened with the breeze making for slow finishing times, Speaight said victory alone was his sole motivation following his forgettable display 12 months ago.

"I came here to win and make up for my disappointing third place finish of last year," said Speaight, whose time in 2008 was actually quicker than last night.

"I was very upset by my performance last year and it was important for me to regain my title tonight. The crowd were awesome once again and that always helps."

Speaight's dissatisfying run in '08 was understandable as he had only three months earlier undergone surgery after a tumour was discovered on one of his lungs. It turned out to be benign with Speaight admitting that the ordeal had left him enjoying his running far more than in previous years.

"My cancer scare, which didn't turn out to be life threatening, has changed the way I approach running," said the 25-year-old. "I don't get as worked up or as stressed about things anymore."

Speaight, an 800 metres specialist, said his superior sprinting skills had set him apart from his rivals: "The breeze ensured it was a tactical race and I sat back for the first 1000 metres or so, and my sprinting ability paid dividends in the finish."

Second-placed Lagat and former Front Street Mile champion, Thie, both finished in 4:20, while Bermuda's Chris Estanwik came fourth.

In the adult local male's race, Riaan Naude was in convincing form, breezing to victory over Stephen Allen and third-placed Calvert Lee.

Naude, who won the race in 2002, thanked his training partner Estwanik for helping him groove his way into form.

"Training with Chris has made a huge difference for me. He's a great athlete and has really pushed me hard to the next level," he said.

South African Naude, twin brother of fellow runner Evan, said he had experienced nerves ahead of the competition.

"I was a lot more nervous tonight than I had been in 2002," he said.

"I know what the race is all about now and when I first won it I'd only been on the Island for a few months. I put the hard work in this year and reaped the rewards."

Allen finished in a time of 4:44 and Lee in 4:45.