Kavin Smith and Anna Eatherley have reinforced popular belief that both will retain the titles they won a year ago.

Smith demolished all opposition in yesterday's Maple Leaf 10K, leading from start to finish to cross the line more than one and a half minutes in front of his nearest rival, while Eatherley also took the women's division by more than a minute.

The Island's two top runners again had everything their own way on a hot, humid morning which saw runners leave Dockyard and run a loop course to Somerset village and back.

Smith clocked 33.36 and Eatherley, 11th overall, finished in 37.33.

Second overall was masters runner (over-40) Sylvester Jean-Pierre in 35.08 while teenager Mark Morrison placed third in 35.54.

Lynn Patchett was second woman in 38.43 and Rosa Peichoto third in 41.49, just ahead of first female master Annette Hallett (42.44).

TENNIS MARATHON TEN Tennis marathon Jitka Uhlirova and Tracy Berrell slugged it out for four hours in an epic ladies singles clash in the Heineken Open at the Tennis Stadium on Saturday.

Both players were struggling with cramp in the final set of a match of long rallies, before Uhlirova finally emerged victorious, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1.

Organisers said it was one of the longest ladies matches in recent years in Bermuda.

Teenager Ryan Swan produced the biggest surprise of the weekend, beating veteran Eugene Simmons 7-6, 6-2.

The tournament continues today and runs through until Saturday.