Andrew Wacker and Ellie Stevens continued their dominance of the PWC Bermuda Half Marathon after retaining their titles on Sunday.

American Wacker was all smiles after his victory also sealed victory in the Half Challenge and he was pleased to lead the formidable field across the line in 1hr 7min 45sec.

“It was a really good field of elite athletes and this year’s win is sweeter because you can’t expect it,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“Just because you win something one year does not mean it’s a given. “The guy that got third [JP Flavin] is one of the best marathoners in the United States. He just ran 2:09 about a month ago so it definitely wasn’t a given and it’s really just nice to come back and earn it.”

Wacker went out hard from the start with the lead group of three, which also included fellow elite runners Aaron Willingham and Flavin.

It became a two-horse race after Flavin gradually fell of the pace before Wacker broke away from Willingham with just over a mile to go and extended his lead to the finish.

The 37-year-old felt that favourable weather conditions and prior course knowledge were important factors in his victory this time around.

“I think it was probably better this time because I knew what was coming and I did expect what was on the course,” he said.

“It was a beautiful day. It was overcast and not much wind, so coming around Flatts and seeing the ocean flat is a good sign for this course.”

Wacker was also appreciative of the encouragement that he and his fellow competitors received from the throngs of spectators lining the race course.

“The whole island seems to come and support, which is really nice,” he said.

“There’s little cheer stations all over and one in particular that’s probably the loudest station I’ve ever heard.

“I’ve raced all over the world so it’s really nice to have good music pumping and people cheering. It really gets the energy going.”

The victory was the athlete’s second in as many days after he won the Allshores 10K, the second leg of the Triangle Challenge, 24 hours earlier.

Willingham (1:08.06) and Flavin (1:09.16) finished second and third to round off the podium finishers. Tyler Butterfield was the first local runner across the finish and sixth overall in 1:13.04.

There was also a familiar face standing tallest on the women’s podium after Great Britain’s Ellie Stevens, the defending champion, led the field across the line to complete an impressive double of her own after winning the women’s race in the Allshores 10K the previous day.

Stevens led the entire way before crossing the finish line tenth overall in 1:20.31 for her second straight win in the event and third victory in total.

“This is so pleasing as this is such a beautiful island and I just love coming back every time,” she said.

“It’s so much fun to be here and we get a warm welcome. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming that it feels like coming home now. It’s my third time here so I feel like a resident now.”

Stevens broke away from the start and kept her foot on the gas the entire way.

“I was open all the way but was checking behind me to make sure there was nobody coming because I wasn’t feeling the best that I’ve ever felt,” she said.

“But it’s still always amazing to be out here. You just have to switch off, take one mile at a time, look at the beautiful view and enjoy yourself. The weather was beautiful but the hills were as brutal as always.”

The elite runner was also grateful for the support she received from the spectators.

“Everyone out there is so supportive. There was one set of cheering people and it was deafening,” she said.

“It was so amazing and it really inspired me. The support out there is absolutely wonderful.”

Anna Vess (1:21.41) and Natalie Whitty (1:22.40) finished second and third to complete the women’s podium.

Marie-lyne Dore (1:27.14) topped the local women’s field, followed by Teresa Ruiz (1:30.52) and Stepanka Sprincova (1:33.44).