It would be no surprise if El Arbi Khattabi suffers recurring nightmares about Dmitry Maximov after his first trip to Bermuda.

For the second time in as many days, the Moroccan was denied a taste of glory at Bermuda International Race Weekend yesterday as his wiry Russian rival resolutely defended his International Half-Marathon title.

Sprinting away from Khattabi in the final 100 metres on Front Street, Maximov ? who has become a fixture at this event ? secured a hat-trick of successive Half Marathon victories as well as a second 10K-Half Marathon double; a feat he first accomplished in 2003.

On Saturday, the soft-spoken 27-year-old left Khattabi in his wake after six kilometres to recapture top honours in the 10K ? which he lost last year ? and set up the possibility of taking home two crowns again.

Displaying an incredible combination of stamina and finishing speed, Maximov duly completed his mission yesterday, posting one hour, six minutes and 24 seconds in his one lap around the Island.

As they did in the 10K, he and Khattabi separated themselves from the rest of the field fairly early with the latter leading but not trying to break away as he had attempted the previous day to perilous effect. Instead, Khattabi opted to carry Maximov to the wire and see what he had left in their gripping cat-and-mouse tussle.

The Russian answered emphatically as they headed away from Pitts Bay Road and back to Front Street for the tape. Khattabi, safe in second place, could only watch helplessly as Maximov ? his heels beating a hasty path to the line ? accelerated impressively.

"The first few miles he tried to open up a lead but he realised it was not a good tactic and changed his mind to run with Khattabi," explained Maximov's translator, adding that the winner was not concerned about if he would be defeated.

"He was concentrating on his race and what he needed to do. He is very happy to win three (half-marathons) and he wants to come back for a fourth (title) next year."

Despite having to settle for runner-up honours again, Khattabi was quite optimistic about his road-running future in Bermuda.

"I'm not 100 percent because I have just started my training so I am very happy with this result.

"It's a good, fast course and, if I am in good shape, I could run 1:03," said the 37-year-old who clocked 1:06.29.

"Next time I will put Bermuda in my racing schedule and I will run better because coming here now was a last-minute thing."

The Moroccan admitted he tried "different tactics" in the Half-Marathon but noted that, once more, he was outwitted by a clearly well-tuned Maximov.

Bermuda's Jay Donawa ended Race Weekend with mixed feelings, copping third in the Half-Marathon and top billing among local competitors with 1:13.10. He was also the first Bermudian home in the 10K, placing sixth overall.

However, the ace athlete was not happy with his times though he found some consolation in triumphing over his compatriots.

"I felt fine and I tried to duplicate what I did last year but I couldn't. It was a pretty average weekend but I'm not totally disappointed. I was hoping to run faster but yes it's always nice to be the first local. I'll take that. It's something to build on."

Donawa, who was running with the marathon's lead pack, lost ground when he had to stop and retie his shoelace outside West Pembroke School. This left him with too much work to do to make up time.

Athletics writer Spencer Duval of the UK was fourth in 1:18.27 and has given the event a resounding endorsement.

"I own a magazine in the UK called and we're going to do a feature on Race Weekend. I'm also an athlete so I've combined my running with some journalism," revealed the 35-year-old.

"It was very humid and hotter than I thought it was going to be but it was a fantastic weekend though my feet hurt and I'm tired."

American Katie McGregor also landed a double in the 10K and Half-Marathon, taking the women's titles in both. She was sixth overall in the latter race with 1:19.43.

"I started out pretty easy because I didn't know how I would feel after the 10K. Then I started feeling good so I kept picking it up throughout. There were a couple guys around me and I tagged onto them.

"It's always nice when you have these mixed races. All in all it was a pretty good weekend and I'm happy I came to Bermuda again," said the 27-year-old.

Nigeria-born Mary Akor was the second woman home in 1:22.15 (eighth overall) and has already set her sights on next year's International Marathon.

"The course was okay but there were too many turns. It's my first time in Bermuda and I was a bit nervous so I did the 10K yesterday (Saturday) to try and loosen up.

"I was shooting to win today but I had a bad race. I'm still glad for second place and third (among women) in the 10K," said the 28-year-old American resident.

Lynn Patchett was the first Bermudian woman to complete the Half-Marathon, finishing in 1:26.53.

"My race went as planned. I stayed behind a guy from overseas who was running very steadily and we worked together for about ten miles. I am quite familiar with North Shore Road ? that's where I do a lot of training ? so I picked it up from there," said the 37-year-old who was 12th overall.

"It's a bonus to be the first local woman (to finish) and I'm quite happy with my time."

Meanwhile, Bermuda's other top female runner Anna Eatherley was sidelined by a late injury and was unable to participate this year.