Chris Estwanik joined an exclusive group of company after predictably storming to a record-equalling fifth consecutive May 24 Half-Marathon title yesterday.The American broke the tape in a blistering time of 1:08.49 to become only the third runner behind local duo Ed Sherlock and Kavin Smith to win five May 24 titles on the trot.The former track runner controlled the race from start to finish but ultimately fell 24 seconds shy of his own race record (1.08.25).Bermuda’s own Sean Trott (1:14.48) and Jay Donawa (1:17.04) rounded off the podium finishers.Estwanik had entered the race again as the overwhelming favourite to retain his title and with each passing mile he showed exactly why with yet another dominant display that left the competition toiling in his wake.Trott and Chayce Smith who dropped out of the race at the five-mile mark tried to keep pace with Estwanik coming off the start line in Somerset.However, any thoughts of an epic battle to the finish were dashed as early as the first mile as Estwanik’s relentless pace was too much for Trott and Smith who faded into the distance, never to be seen again.The biggest obstacle Estwanik encountered during the race was the humidity that made the 13.1mile race all the more daunting.“I have never even bothered to jog in 94 percent humidity, let alone race,” he said. “Everyone was talking about the humidity and that is a huge mental thing to overcome before you start the race.”Estwanik tried his best to break his own record which but it proved beyond reach.“I tried to keep on it because I know everybody wants to see that record go,” he said. “I really pushed it the whole way to stay on pace through about ten miles.“But the course is not easy and I think the humidity was what killed me. It was dangerous out there because if you went out too hard you could pay the price.”Estwanik revelled in his record-equalling display that was made all the more poignant as Smith personally congratulated him on the streets of Hamilton as the American majestically strolled towards May 24 Half-Marathon immortality.“How cool is that when the guy I’m trying to equal is there cheering me on,” he said. “Kavin carried the torch for so long and I’m grateful to pick it up for awhile before these young bucks come by and put me in my place.”Trott was equally as ecstatic to have finished runner-up, aided perhaps by divine intervention.“Preparation-wise I was behind the ball a little bit so I relied on my prayers today and God carried me through and gave me the strength because I couldn’t have done it without,” he said.“The time wasn’t too good but I’m definitely pleased with the placing. It was tough out there and little bit hotter than I expected with the humidity and all.”Trott tried to stay with Estwanik and Smith in the early stages of the race but quickly realised he was fighting a losing battle.“I would’ve killed myself if I ran with them,” he said. “Obviously I couldn’t hang with them so I just dropped back and ran my own race.“I knew my pace that I am comfortable with and could hold the whole way and was ready in case anyone else came up to challenge me. But no one did so I was just praying the whole way for God to carry me through.”Like Trott, Donawa’s strategy was also to run within himself and let the proverbial chips fall where they may.“I ran within myself and the plan was to have something left on Harbour Road and coming home strong,” he said. “The conditions were brutal so I utilised my experience and just ran within myself.“I really enjoyed the run and anytime you can get on the podium at my age (39), I’ll take that any day. To finish on the podium is something you always look forward to and I was able to do that.”* For more pictures click here.