More than 200 runners and walkers made the first Beyond Fitness 5K Run and Walk a huge success on Sunday morning.

Held around the streets of Hamilton, runners aged between 10 and 71 took part in the main event, the 5K run, with youth coming to the fore in the men’s race.

Jackson Langley, aged 16, was the first to finish in a time of 17min 39sec, with 14-year-olds Dylan Eiselt (17:57) and Sanchez Smith (17:58) next to cross the line just ahead of 31-year-old Domico Watson (17:59) in a tight finish to fill the remaining podium places.

Christine Dailey struck a blow for those aged 30 and older by winning the women’s race in 18:48, finishing ten seconds clear of 11-year-old Naomi MacGuinness, with Teresa Ruiz third.

Dailey, who is part-owner of Beyond Fitness and helped to organise the event, was thrilled with the turnout.

“We had more than 250 people take part and I was really excited about that,” Dailey said.

“I’m a part of the running community on the island personally and with Beyond Fitness we have a lot of members who are into fitness but also into running, so we just thought this would be a really good event as we are always looking to do things for our members.

“I took a look at the racing calendar for the fall and it seemed like there were a couple of races missing so they offered me this date for a sponsorship and we went from there.

“We only decided about six weeks ago to do this so it was a bit of a scramble and my first time doing one of these, so there is a lot to learn but I’m really pleased with the turnout.”

Despite being one of the winners and being on hand to present the winners, Dailey is not accepting her deserved winnings.

“It was definitely a bonus to win but it would be awkward taking the prizes that I prepared, so I won’t be taking them,” she said.

Also participating in the Race was Rose-Anna Hoey, who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and was taking part in her final ace before undergoing surgery.

The running community in Bermuda is tightly knit and Dailey was delighted that her friend, who finished fifth in the women’s race and 21st overall, was able to take part.

“When you arrange one of these races, usually the proceeds go to charity and being October we thought it would be great to kick off breast cancer awareness week with proceeds going to Bermuda Cancer and Health,” Dailey said.

“It’s quite fitting as Rosie is a friend of mine and a fellow runner so we thought we would loop her in and it was so cool to be able to have her race as well. Everything worked out and I’m really pleased.”