Ashley Estwanik had a commanding lead at the 7km point in the Royal Bermuda Regiment Charity Breakfast Run 10K, then, with the race all but in the bag, a mis-turn took her off the designated course and out of the competition.

She had been following the official lead vehicle and continued to do so when it made a wrong turn on York Street, St George, and headed up Government Hill Road rather than continuing along the official route of Mullet Bay Road. By the time the mistake was realised it was too late to make amends.

Michael Schindel, 33, was first across the finish line in 44min 3sec. He had broken clear in second place by the halfway point and stayed ahead of runner-up Jon Smith in 44.55, and third-placed Timothy Paterson in 45.47.

Women’s race winner Vivienne Lochhead, 43, was fourth overall in 45.59. She later commiserated with Estwanik, who took a positive view and said it had given her a good morning workout.

Second in the women’s race was Allison Schindel in 47.17, with Kristen Palmer third in 48.48.

This was a new location for the Regiment’s pre-May 24 event, which is usually held at Warwick Camp. With yesterday’s race, which started and finished at the RAA building on Grenadier Road, the Regiment has created what is arguably the island’s toughest 10K with a course that includes a string of energy-sapping hills.

In a junior 3K race, Myeisha Sharrieff was the fastest in 17.28, ahead of Che-Chulae Mone Dowling in 19.52.

The 5K walk was won by Gilda Cann in 42.25, ahead of Gina Bradshaw in 43.12, and Mara Curley in 46.42. First man was David Curley, fourth overall, in 46.45.