Bermuda road runner Annette Hallett was celebrating last night after clinching first place in her age division at the annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.

In a field of almost 18,000, Hallett clocked three hours, 12 minutes and 44 seconds to win the female 50-plus age group.

She was the 18th woman to cross the line and 305th overall.

At least three other Bermuda runners competed in the 26.2 mile race with Cal Steede placing 1,569th overall after crossing the line in 3:41.32.

Carol Griffith clocked 3:56.50 (2,918th) and Ed Thomas 3:58.02 (3,050th).

Farley Simon, a retired Marine who hadn't run a marathon since 1995, won the race which was dedicated to victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The 46-year-old runner from Honolulu was timed in two hours, 28 minutes, 28 seconds. The women's division was won by Lori Stich-Zimmerman in 2:48:13.

The 26th running of the race was dubbed "The People's Marathon" and featured 17,999 runners.