Hollywood superstar Catherine Zeta-Jones joined a field of 255 women who took part in yesterday's sixth annual PartnerRe Women's 5K Run and Walk to raise money for a local cancer resource library.

Joined by friends and family, including her son Dylan, three, and five-month-old daughter Carys, the Welsh actress and Bermuda resident was all smiles as participants cheered her across the finish line at the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

Zeta-Jones was invited to take part in the popular event, Bermuda's only all-female race, which is organised by Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club and sponsored by PartnerRe Ltd.

Amid hot conditions on a new course, perennial winner Anna Eatherley powered home in first place in a time of 19 minutes and one second. Joanne Shillington was second in 19:42, closely followed by triathlete Karen Smith in 19:44.

"It was probably a little more challenging than in past years because of where the hills came," said Eatherley, who set the old course record of 18:26. "But it was pretty good. I ran with Joanne for the first couple of miles, then she eased off and I went on alone."

Money raised by the PartnerRe 5K this year will help fund a state-of-the-art library offering free public educational materials and Internet access at TB, Cancer & Health's new resource centre on Point Finger Road. ts.

"The main aim of the event is to raise awareness about women's issues and focus attention on things like female health, fitness, safety and self-esteem," said Race Director Rosemary Jones, of MAAC. "It's been a real privilege to see it grow to be so popular among participants, while also raising money for important causes."

Age group winners included Tiffany Gregg in the 16 to 29 category; Victoria Fiddick in the 30 to 39 group; Karen Adams in the 40 to 49 year-olds, and Peggy Couper in the 50-plus category.

In the junior girls' 3.2K race, Lorena Harvey won the under-11 category, while Ellen Briers was first among 11 to 13-year-olds.

Full results, see Scoreboard

Four Bermudians "burnt rubber" in New York last Sunday, excelling in the Norwegian Festival Grete's Great Gallop half-marathon.

Kavin Smith recorded the best result in the 13.1 mile, two-lap circuit around Central Park, finishing in one hour, 10.18 minutes to be second in the men's 30-39 age group and third overall. Ricky Sousa was fourth in the men's 40-44 category in one hour, 18.01 minutes which was also good for 22nd overall.

Lynn Patchett placed 93rd overall, was fifth among all women and won her division (female 30-39) in one hour, 24.25 minutes while Peggy Couper was fourth in the female 55-59 age group in one hour, 43.48 minutes. Couper finished 908th overall out of more than 5,000 competitors.