He may be 40, but Jay Donawa is showing no signs of slowing down just yet and yesterday added his name to the list of Bacardi 8K champions with a commanding front-running performance.One of the Island’s greatest off-road and long distance competitors, the former World Cross-Country Championship athlete made full use of his recent marathon training to cruise to victory in 26 minutes 47 seconds.First woman was Rose-Anna Hoey, who broke Victoria Fiddick’s 2008 course record into the bargain as she stopped the clock at 30.59.The popular road race and walk, now in its sixth year, also saw runner and cancer survivor Darnell Wynn back in action for her first race since completing chemotherapy two weeks ago and being given the all-clear from doctors.At the sharp end of the field, Donawa found himself up against Evan Naude and Spencer Butterfield. Having built up his fitness in preparation for the New York City Marathon, only to miss out on that challenge when the race was cancelled earlier this month, Donawa decided to test himself on the five-mile route and looked comfortable as he took early control of the race.But all was not as it seemed. Donawa suffered a tightening in one of his hamstring muscles a few miles out which curbed his desire to push harder. But he’d already opened a sizeable lead over nearest pursuer Naude and maintained his advantage as he knocked out 5.20-minute miles to secure victory.Naude was next in 27.46, followed by Spencer Butterfield in 28.53.The women’s race appeared wide-open on paper. Rose-Anna Hoey took the lead early on and was closely followed by Robyn Humphrey and last week’s Hannover Re/BNAA Half-Marathon women’s champion Karen Smith.Hoey, 31, stretched away from the others to claim victory in a new course record. She still considers herself a ‘novice’ at the sport, having only taken up running three years ago. However, she has been in dominant form in this year’s cross-country series.“The cross-country has helped to give me strength. Today was a tough course. I went out hard,” she said.Around the three-mile point she felt herself wavering slightly due to her earlier efforts, but she dug deep and got encouragement from others on the course, such as Jason Correia who finished just ahead of her. Smith was second woman in 32.57, with Humphrey third in 33.07.Hoey noted that a number of the Island’s leading women were absent from the race, including Hilda Stoney who coincidently left the Island yesterday to relocate to Singapore.“She was very much my training partner and I’m going to miss her,” said Hoey. She also appreciated being cheered on by former champion Ashley Estwanik who completed the race pushing a baby stroller.Estwanik was not the only top athlete pushing a baby stroller, so too was London 2012 Olympian triathlete Tyler Butterfield who came home 33rd overall in a race field of 253 finishers.There was an inspiring run from Darnell Wynn, who took part just two weeks after completing chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer.A regular road race competitor, Wynn was diagnosed in June and has since undergone surgery and chemotherapy. She has now been given the all-clear.Throughout her treatment she worked to maintain her fitness, and her positive spirit, by walking and running when possible, helped by her coach Elvin Thomas and her sister Gizella Cox.She found her own inspiration after reading an article about another runner who had stage four ovarian cancer but beat the odds to survive and even took part in two races during her course of chemotherapy.Wynn did likewise, racing in the Partner Re 5K in October and yesterday’s event.She said: “I had major surgery and chemo for four months. I kept my sanity by walking and doing some running.”She is thankful she went to get checked out after suffering abdominal pains. “You have to be vigilant and ask for tests. When I was told I had cancer it was a huge shock. Running gave me the right mindset to deal with it. My wonderful friend and coach (Elvin Thomas) got me up and out walking and running.“Chemo takes all your energy and you can have some really dark moments. But I would get out and walk and try to run and that helped me out. Elvin made my green juices and my sister supported me. It feels great finishing a race. My goal now is to do the May 24 Half-Marathon next year.”Yesterday’s Bacardi 8K road race and walk was organised by the Mid Atlantic Athletic Club, with Spencer Conway as race director.The competitive 8K walk was won by Roisin O’Hagan in 53.29, from L. Shinah Simons in 55.07 and Winnelle Simons in 55.28.