The streets around the Botanical Gardens were filled with more than 800 runners and walkers on Sunday for the annual women-only PartnerRe 5K race and junior race.

Although the main event saw a slight dip in competitor numbers from last year, it still ranks as one of the biggest single sport-orientated participation events on the Island, as witnessed by the mass start that saw a section of Harbour Road from Trimingham Hill to Lovers Lane closed to traffic to allow the hundreds of runners and walkers to pass through unhindered as they tackled the course of 3.1 miles.

A family-friendly atmosphere has become the signature of the PartnerRe event, and this year was no different as youngsters were given their own short road race of 3.2K before the main event. It meant the youngsters returned to the finish line in the Gardens running through a tunnel of hundreds of cheering adults, many their own mothers, waiting to start the adults' race.

A breakfast was laid on in the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, courtesy of event sponsors, and bright sunshine lasted all morning. Thousands of dollars are expected to have been raised by the event to benefit The Family Centre.

Karen Bordage, one of the organisers, said: "The numbers were a little down, there was the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk this week as well, but still it was a terrific turnout, and the conditions were perfect."

The surprise winner of the main race was Australian pro-cyclist Nikki Egyed, who is engaged to Bermudian triathlete and cyclist Tyler Butterfield. She arrived on the Island only two days before the event. Two weeks ago she finished 15th in the UCI World Championships for cyclists in Varese, Italy. On Sunday she won in a time of 18 minutes 33 seconds to beat reigning champion Victoria Fiddick by 16 seconds.

Mrs Bordage said: "It was great to have Nikki in the race to push Victoria. We had a lot of volunteers helping and a perfect day, everyone has said they enjoyed it, and it is a fun event to organise. It is the one women-only race of the year and people can come and relax in the Botanical Gardens.

"We had 350 juniors taking part and that gives the whole day a great atmosphere. The kids come back at the finish of their race and they run through a path created by the adults so they have their moms cheering them on."

Mrs Bordage thanked the volunteers and the authorities that assisted with the road close of part of Harbour Road to make it safer for the hundreds of competitors. She also thanked the various sponsors, including PartnerRe, Butterfield and Vallis, Tokio Marine, and Arthur Morris, Christensen and Co.

n Race report, Sports, Page 21