Moroccan El Arbi Khattabi felt the ?Max-imum? fallout from his frontrunning tactics on Saturday as the International 10K was won by a familiar face.

Running a tactically superior race, Dmitry Maximov steadily reeled in his chief rival in the last four kilometres and motored home impressively in 30 minutes and 20 seconds to reclaim the crown which he surrendered to Patrick Nthiwa of Kenya last year.

The Russian, who revealed he was not feeling his best in the race?s opening stages, was the only person to keep within striking distance of fleet-footed Khattabi whose blistering pace reduced the event to a two-man tussle in the first five minutes.

Apparently intent on trying to burn out the diminutive Maximov, the newcomer to Bermuda International Race Weekend stretched to a 20-metre lead along the winding and undulating Middle Road and at times seemed capable of putting even further distance between him and the 2003 champion.

Suddenly, as the two bore down on Flatts ? where scores of spectators cheered their every step ? one sensed changing fortunes as 27-year-old Maximov began to close the gap on a fading Khattabi.

The climb out of that village and onto the scenic North Shore played perfectly into the wily Maximov?s plan as Khattabi tired even more. Now it was simply a matter of when, and not if, the Moroccan would be overhauled.

About 40 metres from the bottom of Store Hill ? with four kilometres left ? the slim but strong Maximov went clear of Khattabi and onto certain glory at the National Sports Centre where the race had started.

To his credit, Khattabi maintained composure to finish a distant second in 30.50 while Joe Driscoll of the USA was third in 31.06 and St. Vincent?s Pamenos Ballantyne fourth in 31.33.

?The Moroccan started very fast and I couldn?t keep up. I didn?t feel well so I ran slower but later I felt better and I was able to pass him. I?m very happy to win the 10K again,? said Maximov with the assistance of a translator.

Khattabi, 37, was satisfied that he gave his best ? though it just wasn?t good enough.

?I did my best. I just started my training about six weeks ago and I am not fully ready yet. I tried to run fast in the first half but I didn?t know the course. It was very hilly and the weather was also very humid.

?I am very happy to finish second in my first time here,? he said.

The runner-up was highly complimentary of Maximov?s outstanding performance and saluted the winner.

?I?m not surprised. He is a very good runner. I think he was ready today and he ran smart. I congratulate him.?

Driscoll was awed by the manner in which the two top finishers threw down the gauntlet from the start.

?I?m in good shape right now, just not good enough shape to go out that fast. When they took off I knew I had to let them go for at least the first half of the race,? said the North Carolina resident.

?I heard the announcer say the first mile was four minutes, 30 seconds and I knew I could not do that pace today.

?I had not seen the course but I had heard it was hilly so I was counting on being able to pull them back in during the second half but those hills just got me. It?s a tough course but it was fun.

Meanwhile, Driscoll?s compatriot Katie McGregor returned to the Island in triumphant style, easily taking the women?s title in 34.24, placing ninth overall.

?It was pretty good, especially the weather because the last time I was here it was rainy and windy. Today was nicer with the warm weather but it does get to you towards the end when you start hitting those last couple hills.

?You forget about them until you hit them and then you realise you?re hurting,? said the 27-year-old, adding that running with the guys around her kept her focus.

McGregor knew she was ?up there? in the hunt for women?s honours but was unsure how far ahead she was of fellow American Debbie Thornhill.

The latter smiled after crossing the line 16th overall in 36.54.

?I?m excited to finish second among the women. I didn?t know how stiff the competition was going to be. As far as times go, I?m not in peak shape because it?s in the middle of my base season. I ran 96 miles this week so this is more like a race workout for me,? explained the 24-year-old.

?It?s nice to fit this into my training to help get me ready for my season.?

Nigeria-born Mary Akor, 28, was the third woman across the line. The USA-based athlete was 18th in 37.47.