Ashley Estwanik broke a national record on the opening night of the Bermuda Powerade National Championships at the National Sports Centre (NSC) last night.She achieved a new record in the Open Women’s 5,000 metre race, setting the stage for an eventful Championships that continues today at the NSC.Estwanik raced against one competitor, the clock, and less than ideal conditions on her way to setting the new record of 16 minutes, 40 seconds.The previous record stood at 17 minutes, 48 seconds.Admitting the conditions were a factor before the race, the Female May 24th winner was happy with her performance.“When I woke up this morning it was a complete downpour and I wasn’t sure if it would go on but it cleared up and in the end turned out to be a good race,” said Estwanik, “we were running through puddles on the track, but I’m pleased with it all.“I said to myself if they run the race I’m going for the record and the elements did take a little pressure off, but I had people like Victoria (Fiddick) calling my splits out and I ran even splits through the whole race so I am happy with that.“It was good to have my parents as well as husband Chris and my two children in the crowd cheering me on for this occasion.”The race of the night pitted Olympic hopeful Aaron Evans against some of Bermuda’s best in Lamont Marshall, Carifta Games medallist Shaquille Dill and promising youngster Dage Minors in the 800 metres.Evans won the event but wasn’t able to reach Olympic qualifying, with Dill coming second and 1,500 metre specialist Marshall performing the role of pace-setter.The University of Georgia senior fell two seconds off of the mark set for the London Games, but still has more chances to reach his goal in upcoming weeks as the deadline approaches.While he didn’t reach the standard, Evans was pleased to perform in front a home crowd.“It was nice to be back in front of the home crowd, especially when you aren’t running at your fastest,” said Evans.“The elements today were very windy and rainy, so it was both of them but overall I’m just pleased to be back home in front of the home fans that were cheering me on.“Shaquille and Lamont are both fast, Lamont took us out fast and Shaquille is quality just by looking at his recent results so I’m looking to help them and they surely helped me tonight in my quest for making the grade for the Olympics.“I am confident of making the standard for the 800, I just need the right conditions and competition to get there.”Marshall, who was the ‘rabbit’ for the race will compete today in his favoured event, the 1,500 metres, but backs his compatriot to make the summer spectacle.“I was trying to be the rabbit for Aaron as he is trying to get his job done and me being the pace maker, but the conditions didn’t cooperate with us. I was trying to take him through in 51 seconds for the first lap to get him on his target but National Stadium is a wind tunnel. The good thing is that we both have a few weeks to get the real business done.”