Lamont Marshall made a triumphant return to the local road running scene in today’s Labour Day 5 Mile Road race.The 29-year old athlete stormed to victory in a personal best time of 25 minutes and eight seconds, slashing 20 seconds off his previous fastest time over the distance.It was the elite runner’s first appearance in a race since serving a six-month prison term for dangerous driving that left two people injured in an early morning crash.“I’m just grateful and thankful to God because things could’ve been worse for me,” Marshall told The Royal Gazette. “As you know I’ve had a rough summer which was all my fault and no one else to blame.“Training while I was in Westgate was tough, but I was still able to do a decent amount of cardio on a smaller field. I was glad to be encouraged by a lot of guys like the officers, Commissioner (Edward Lamb) and inmates. They were all encouraging me, letting me know that it was all right and I can be an inspiration to the younger athletes — and hopefully I can be.”Marshall finished more than two minutes ahead of nearest rivals Tre Simons (27:18) and Chayce Smith (27:55) who came home in second and third respectively.If there was any downside to Marshall’s dominant display it may have been failing to crack the 25 minute barrier which the runner set out to achieve.“I was just shy of that but I’m definitely pleased to get in a personal best considering the circumstances,” he said.Marshall maintained a blistering five minute mile pace for the first three miles but was forced to throttle back coming in as the morning heat took its toll.The evergreen Victoria Fiddick was the first female runner across the line in a time of 34 minutes and eight seconds which was well outside her personal best over the distance.“It wasn’t a very fast time, but I won the race and that’s all I needed to do to win,” said the 47-year old Fiddick, who was also the first female Masters runner across the line. “It wasn’t a huge turnout, but I’m still happy I’m running and was able to feel okay in the race. I look forward to a good season.”Rosana Hoey (36:00) was the second female across the line followed by Teresa Humphrey in third.Hoey won the Women’s Open title followed by Humphrey and Leandra Simons who rounded off the top three.William Wood was the first male Masters runner across the line while Shawn Jones (46:33) was the only competitor in the junior 16-19 field.Akim Johnston (7:33) and Messiah Greaves were the top male and female in the junior 11-12 age group. Others producing podium displays were father and son Robert Thomas and Robert Thomas jr who finished second and third respectively in the men’s Masters and junior boys (11-12) divisions.Chefton Hall was first among the walkers.