Harry Mulenga continued to make a name for himself in Bermuda by claiming victory in his maiden KPMG Invitational Elite Men’s Mile.

The Zambian followed up his record-breaking feat in the Fairmont-to-Fairmont 7.2-mile event with another scorching display in front of the thousands of spectators who lined Front Street last night.

Despite running one of the quickest elite men’s times in recent memory — four minutes, 5.76 seconds — Mulenga did not come close to threatening the magical four-minute barrier and claim the $10,000 bonus on offer.

Diriba Yigezu, of Ethiopia, was close behind in second (4:05.97), while Mulenga’s compatriot, Jordan Chipangama, came third in 4:07.39.

Mulenga burst into the Bermuda public’s consciousness a fortnight ago when he smashed one of the Island’s longest-standing road race records. And last night he clinched a rare Fairmont-to-Fairmont and Front Street Mile double by winning his second successive Island race in convincing fashion.

“I was not expecting to perform like this especially considering the recent weather, but when I saw it was good and not windy I just thought about doing my best,” he said.

“This is not an easy thing to do; I needed to work hard and focus very hard. I was happy with my time although the halfway [long tail] turn is so sharp it slows you down.

“If it was a straight course I think I could have probably ran 3:50 or 3:40-something.”

Shaving eight seconds off Dave Swanston’s 1989 Fairmont-to-Fairmont record, finishing in 36 minutes flat, gave Mulenga a surge of confidence ahead of the Front Street Mile. It also provided him with valuable local knowledge and a “good feel for the environment” which he was able to draw upon en route to victory.

“I didn’t expect to break the record that day, I just did what I do and kicked and found by myself with the record,” Mulenga added.

“I thought it would be a good idea to do the [Fairmont-to-Fairmont] as it would give me a good feel of the environment — it gave more motivation.”

Mulenga has been staying with promising Bermuda runner Juma Mouchette during his new year break on the Island. They both attend the Central Arizona College where they are training partners. Mouchette, who came second in the last night’s Local Men’s Mile, encouraged Mulenga to don his running shoes while on the Island.

“When Juma asked to me to come to visit Bermuda he said it would be a good experience for me to race,” Mulenga said. “We are friends at school and help each other train. Juma knows that I’m good and tries to stay with me, and I give him some tips.”

The 19-year-old hopes to make it a trio of race wins during his Bermuda sojourn in today’s 10K and, based on last night’s form, few would bet against him. “It all depends on how I feel tomorrow morning,” he said. “This speed can sometimes disturb you, but I will be trying to do my best.”

Finishing a disappointing fifth in a time of 4:12.59 was 2011 champion Phillip Lagat of Kenya.

The first local runner to cross the finish line was Chayce Smith who came sixth in 4:15.32, while fellow Bermudians Shaquille Dill (4:17.57) came seventh and Trey Simons (4:21.83) placed tenth.