There was no "pot of gold" for Kent Richardson at the end of the Sports-R-Us National Triathlon Championships yesterday. But there was a hard earned national title to add to the one he won last year as well as a better time by around four minutes and the knowledge that he is now unquestionably the top locally-based triathlete in Bermuda.

And as Richardson cruised to victory over the Southside, St.David's course, leading female Karen Smith not only overwhelmed the women's field as expected, but recorded a personal best time, finishing third overall in what developed into less than ideal conditions that saw all of the top contenders struggling on the run.

After what appeared at the start to be perfect conditions with overcast skies and a gentle breeze, pre-race favourite Richardson, who had gone on record last week as saying that he was `going for broke' in this, the last event of the triathlon season, looked impressive as he chased the magical mark of two hours - a personal goal which if realised would also have netted him a $500 bonus from the sponsors.

However, as the competition heated up, so did the temperature and humidity and early in the run it was clear that the money was safe.

Regardless, Richardson was bubbling with enthusiasm when he said afterwards: "My race went really, really well. I didn't hold anything back. I saw Steven Kenny (racing in the team event) in the swim and thought what the heck, let me see how long I can hang in. Then Karen and Andrew (Davis) came by and I stayed as close to them as I could."

Once on the bike, Richardson made the most of his strongest discipline and by the second lap was opening up a gap on his closest challenger Davis, who finished second to Richardson two weeks' ago in the Bank of Bermuda Triathlon.

It was a lead that would eventually build to over three minutes by the end of the demanding eight-lap cycle course, that included two leg-wrenching 180 degree turns at each end.

Richardson realised the importance of the bike leg going into the run. "I had a big lead off the bike but started to feel a cramp in my left hamstring and kept thinking `oh no not again', but after about 800 metres into the run it eased up and I was okay. But the run was very, very tough after it really got hot half way through. Still I am really pleased with my performance."

Davis was racing with new-found confidence after his Bank of Bermuda finish and even briefly challenged Richardson for the lead on the bike at the beginning of the second lap.

"When Kent went past me on the bike, he didn't go past as fast as normal and make a statement like he normally does, so I took the lead just before the turn to make it exciting but it didn't last and I knew I wouldn't hold him off," said Davis.

Coming off the bike, Davis was three minutes and 15 seconds behind the leader but on hearing that Richardson was experiencing cramps and had even been seen walking, Davis admitted he pushed really hard for a lap and a half, and may have paid the price later in the race.

"I heard from my girlfriend and sister that Kent was cramping and had walked a bit so I really pushed it for the first lap and a half but the last 5K I was suffering. I was lucky that Karen was suffering too, otherwise I could have been in trouble."

As Richardson was experiencing problems and Davis was chasing hard, Smith continued to ride strongly in third, unconcerned about the battle ahead of her.

"I was just trying to hold nine minutes each lap which would bring me in at 70 to 71 minutes. I think it was 71 so I was happy with that," she said.

As Smith came out of the transition area at the end of the bike she quickly adjusted into her smooth, fluid running style, fuelling anticipation in the crowd of a repeat of her performance in the Bank of Bermuda event where she chased down one competitor after another.

But it would not be just the respective three minute, 19 seconds and five minute, 40 seconds deficits on Davis and Richardson that would eventually prevent it happening. "I felt great on the run to begin with, I was exactly on my projected splits but then on the third lap the sun came out and I started feeling light headed. So I eased back, I didn't want to end up in hospital for the sake of 30 seconds faster."

In a seesaw battle of fluctuating physical conditions, Richardson, experienced at dealing with cramping, didn't panic and after shortening his stride was noticeably more relaxed on the run, as both Davis and Smith struggled to hold form.

As he saw the finish, the focused and clearly pained expression on his face also relaxed into a smile of satisfaction as he crossed the line and struggled to raise him arms in victory in two hours, 11 minutes, 32 seconds to take his second national title and in the process record the fastest bike and run splits of the day.

An equally happy Davis came in five minutes and 39 seconds later in a personal best time of 2.17.11 with Smith one minute, 33 seconds later in 2.18.44, recording her best time ever for an Olympic distance event.

Smith said afterwards: "I just wanted to have a good time on this course and I cut about three minutes off my time, and I am pleased with that. It's actually a PB overall for me today."

Dave Ferguson would round out the top three for the men, finishing in a time of 2.25.40 with veteran Kim Mason just holding off Karen Madeiros by 12 seconds for second place in 2.38.50 and 2.39.11 respectively. In the team event, Melanie Claude joined up with swimmer Steven Kenny and runner Mark Morrison to record a convincing win in 2.07.34 with Kenny and Morrison the fastest swimmer and runner of the day.

Full results, see Scoreboard.