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Biwot back to his extraordinary best

(Photo by Glenn Tucker)Kenya's Shadrack Biwot wins the HSBC Bermuda 10K at the National Sports Centre. Looking on is 10K record holder Geoff Smith.

Shadrack Biwot added to his extraordinary Bermuda Marathon Weekend legacy after cruising to his third HSBC 10K win.The Kenyan once again proved a cut above the rest of the other international runners with second-placed Julius Bor, who couldn’t follow up his KPMG Bermuda Invitational Mile victory, never posing a serious challenge.Biwot broke the 30 minutes barrier with his fastest Bermuda 10K time 29 minutes 19 seconds to defeat compatriot Bor (30.11) and third-placed American Stephen Pifer (31.04).“This victory means a lot; it’s Bermuda Race Weekend and that’s why we professional athletes come here, to put on a show for the people of Bermuda,” said Biwot, who captured an unprecedented treble (Men’s Elite Mile, 10K and Half-Marathon) on his Marathon Weekend debut in 2010.He then followed up that stunning achievement in 2011 by successfully defending his 10K and Half-Marathon titles.However, the 27-year-old was denied a hat-trick of 10K and Half-Marathon crowns last year after withdrawing from Marathon Weekend at the eleventh hour following the death of his father.Thrilled to regain his 10K crown following last year’s absence, Biwot admitted he was a little surprised none of his rivals were able to stick with him when he decided to break away from the front pack.“It was okay, I mean I won although there was nobody out there with me,” said Biwot, the brother of Duncan Kibet, the fifth fastest marathon runner of all time.“I guess I wanted to make a little bit of a statement after losing in the Front Street Mile.”Runner-up Bor admitted he felt a “little flat” following his Invitational Mile triumph on Friday night.“I felt a little tired this morning, I slept a little late as I had to find somewhere to eat supper last night,” he said.“I was feeling a little flat but my time wasn’t too bad. Shadrack Biwot is more of distance runner so I wasn’t surprised to see him win.”Stephen Allen, the leading local male, came sixth overall in a time of 33.39 to put him firmly on course to claim the Triangle Challenge title.“Two races so far and two good performances,” said Allen, who won the Adult Local Male race on Friday.“I have one more race to go (the HSBC Bermuda Half-Marathon) and the sky is the limit.“Today’s race almost went to plan as I was about a minute off my pace. Spencer (Butterfield) gave me a good run for about two-and-a-half miles.“I always enjoy Race Weekend it’s one of my favourite events of the year.”Butterfield, the brother of Bermuda’s Olympic triathlete Tyler, came seventh overall in 34.50.