destroyed a star-studded field to win the Bermuda International 10K on Saturday.

A mere wisp of a man, Nyamu displayed awesome strength, taking on and conquering a course regarded as one of the world's toughest, clocking 29 minutes, three seconds, despite a strong headwind along North Shore.

The Kenyan utilised solid tactics, patiently biding his time in the shadow of pre-race favourite Paul Evans for much of the final five kilometres, before producing a telling burst heading up the Palmetto Road hill.

Nyamu, appearing to glide effortlessly, continued to extend the gap along Frog Lane, before bursting into an all out sprint as he entered National Stadium.

Evans, better known for his prowess as a marathon runner and the winner of last year's Chicago Marathon, placed second in 29.24, while Scotsman Glen Stewart ran steadily for third (29.59).

Afterwards a modest and shy Nyamu, tired following an arduous journey from his homeland, would say: "I tried what I could.'' However, his was much more than a good try.

Nyamu was never out of the top two throughout the race, having taken up the challenge thrown down by American Jerry Lawson, who roared from the start, he and Nyamu going through the first mile in a blistering 4.26.

The American, though, began to show the effects of the fast early pace as they neared two miles, relinquishing the lead to the Kenyan and fading back into a second pack.

Evans and Stewart then began the task of reeling in Nyamu and did so as they neared Whitney Institute. But the Kenyan was far from spent, tucking in behind Evans as Stewart conceded, making for a two-man race.

Asked if he was at all worried when Evans caught and passed him, a broad grin encompassed Nyamu's face. "No. At that time I was feeling OK, I knew I was going to recover and do good,'' said the African, who clearly relished the hilly course.

"I went out hard because I was feeling tired and wanted to break fast just to see what I could do, but I'm more used to coming from behind.'' For Evans the writing was on the wall once he failed to shake loose Nyamu along North Shore and he admitted as much.

"Coming down North Shore he was just sitting on me and waiting,'' said Evans, who will soon head off to South Africa for some altitude training in preparation for the London Marathon. "A couple of times I tried to get away from him and make a little gap, but it seemed he was on a little piece of string.

"He ran a very smart race and coming up the last hill he just ran away from me and he did it so quickly that you could see he'd planned it.

"I ran the best I could and on the day the best man won.'' There was no such drama among the international women, as former Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyer of South Africa made it a clean sweep for the continent.

Meyer, coming back from a severe Achilles tendon injury suffered during the Olympics in Atlanta, was never challenged and led from start to finish, ending with a time of 32.39.

Defending champion Carole Zajak, while bettering her winning time of a year ago in posting 33.40, was simply out of her league on this day and forced to settle for second place honours. Kenyan Salina Chirchir crossed the line third in 34.47.

"I thought it would be harder,'' said Meyer, appearing somewhat surprised at the relative ease of her victory. "I didn't really know what kind of shape I was in and didn't know what kind of shape the other women were in, so for me it was quite a surprise.

"But I ran hard and enjoyed the race, it was good fun.'' Not too despondent was Zajak, as she was well aware of the quality and class by which she had been beaten.

"It's always a disappointment (to lose), but yet this is the beginning point in my season and Bermuda is a great place to open up,'' said Zajak.

"It's better with a more challenging field and I ran a faster time than last year, so I'm happy with the start.'' Zajak said she expected the early burst from Meyer -- the only problem was, she had no solution to it.

FIRST HOME -- Kenyan Stephen Nyamu breaks the tape to win Saturday's 10K in a fast 29.03.