HE didn't have the greatest of International Race Weekends, but Otis Robinson made up for that by setting two personal bests in a half marathon in Texas at the weekend.

For most of the past six months the Southampton runner has been juggling his training goals between one mile races and half marathons, not an easy feat considering one event is 12 times longer than the other.

But it all came together in last weekend's 3M Half Marathon in Austin, Texas, when Robinson stormed to a lifetime best of one hour 17 minutes 24 seconds – around five minutes faster than his 2008 May 24 Half Marathon time where he finished eighth.

According to Robinson the temperature in Austin on race day was in the low 30s, which made it difficult for him to set out as fast as he wished at the start of the race but proved to be advantageous as he ran at a more consistent and level pace throughout.

"My splits were consistent. Because of the coldness of the air I could not go out as quickly as I wanted to, so I held back and ran my own race. My first mile was 5.40, which was slower than I normally do," said Robinson.

The overseas trip came only a week after he had run a 5.05 in the Front Street Mile, a relatively disappointing result considering his two sub-five minute miles in New York and New Hampshire in September and December respectively.

In Texas, Robinson adapted well to the cold and the undulating course and ran through the 10K mark in 35.56, slicing a few seconds from his personal best on his way to completing the half marathon.

He finished 53rd overall in a race field of 4,140, and was second in his age group picking up an award at the prize giving. The overall winner was Martin Fagan in 1.01.05, while the fastest woman was Belaynesh Gebre in 1.11.17.

"I felt determined coming off the Front Street Mile," said Robinson. "I found it challenging having these two races so close together and I did not have the speed work for the mile. But I knew that one of the races would pay off for me and this has been a great morale booster."

Buoyed with success he has now set his sights on a competitive 10K race in Puerto Rico as his next likely race outing.

l This Sunday runners and walkers will have the opportunity to test themselves in the popular Butterfield & Vallis 5K event.

Last year saw an historic husband and wife double as Chris and Ashley Estwanik finished first and second overall in times of 15.35 and 17.18 respectively.

Chris showed his fitness with an outstanding win in the Bermuda Triangle Half Marathon Challenge over International Race Weekend, where he was also amongst the lead finishers in the Invitational Front Street Mile.

The Butterfield & Vallis 5K run and walk also features a 2.7K event for under-13s, which starts at 9 a.m. and is followed at 9.30 a.m. by the main event. The start line is in Serpentine Road near the roundabout with Par-La-Ville Road.

Late entries are still possible and can be made at the race number pick up tomorrow at the Butterfield and Vallis depot, in Woodlands Road, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.