Hasim Ming underlined his enormous potential by upsetting more experienced athletes to convincingly win his first Heritage Day Junior Classic.

The 12-year-old Whitney Institute Middle School student blitzed a formidable field with a dominant performance belying his tenders years as he beat out more senior rivals, including favourite Tobiah Goodchild, on the way to a comfortable victory in a time of 11min 31sec.

“There were a lot of good runners out there and I want to congratulate all the runners that ran as they all did a very good job,” an elated Ming told The Royal Gazette.

The promising athlete, who was eligible to compete in the boys 11-12 division, was confident heading into his second race appearance.

“I always backed myself and was thinking about first place and how my family were waiting for me at the end, and God pushed me through with all the strength in my legs,” he said.

Also making a second appearance in the race was Nathan Foster Skelton, who crossed the line second overall in 11:49 to pick up first place in the boys 13-15 age group with a performance that exceeded his expectations.

“I am happy with my performance and was very surprised,” said Foster Skelton, the son of Bermuda Broadcasting Company journalist Gary. “I didn’t expect to do well.”

Rounding off the overall podium finishers was race debutant Gomez Caines, who took third in 11:56 and second in the boys 11-12 division.

“I am very happy as this is my first time doing the race,” he said. “I trained and did good and that’s what I am happy about. I started good and ended good.”

Achieving an impressive treble was Naomi MacGuinness, who secured overall girls honours, picking up the girls 11-12 title in 11:59.

The top junior athlete was satisfied with her display coming off injury which curtailed her preparations.

“I have been injured and haven’t been able to train as much as I would have liked,” the Warwick Academy student said.

“It was much more hot and humid compared to last year, which made the course much more challenging.”

It is the second straight year that MacGuinness has finished fourth overall in the prestigious race held this year in honour of cofounder and former Bermuda Track and Field Association and West End Athletic Club president Clarence Smith, who passed away in January at the age of 83.

Colette Durkin was runner-up among the overall girls and the girls 11-12 division in 12:21 followed by Evelyn Fahy, who finished third overall and third in the 11-12 age group in 12:28.

Surii Russell (13:41) beat out sole rival Narye Somner (14:09) to claim the boys 16-17 while Ronan Davidge (13:14) rounded off the boys 11-12 podium finishers.

Azari Jones (14:06) was the lone competitor in the girls 16-17 division, while Leyla Crews (14:26) finished ahead of sole rival Jaylen Lewis (16:27) to clinch the girls 13-15 title.

Girls 8-10 honours went to Yaya Muhammad (14:17), with Freya Dunkle (14:21) taking second and Amara Daniels (15:25) third.

Liam Horrobin (12.20) claimed the boys 8-10 title, Nathan Horrobin (12:34) crossed in second and Khaleef Daley (13.14) third.