needed "a rest''.

If yesterday's performance was any indication, he might want to rest more often.

Far from dulling his competitive edge, the break worked wonders as the 30-year-old stormed to one of his most impressive victories, smashing his own course record in the annual Butterfield and Vallis/Gatorade 5K.

In a field of more than 250, Smith romped home in 14 minutes, 57 seconds, crushing his main rival Jay Donawa, first local in the recent International 10K, by a whopping 37 seconds.

Donawa was no slouch as he finished in 15.34 -- the only other runner to break 16 minutes -- while David Dunwoody took third in 16.11, Jamal Hart fourth in 16.44 and Tony Smith fifth in 16.59.

Smith's time knocked 21 seconds off the course mark of 15.18 he set back in 1994.

With both Jennifer Fisher and Karen Adams, one-two finishers in the Front Street Mile, sitting this one out, an improving Julia Hawley stepped up to take first place among the females, placing 30th overall in 19.33 Jane Christie, first female master, was a close second in 19.43 followed by another master, Debbie Butterfield in 20.13. Donna Watson was second in the open division in 20.27.

Among the men's masters, Harry Patchett again reigned supreme, placing 12th overall in 17.31, just ahead of Van Doyling (14th, 17.47) and Rod Allen (16th, 17.51).

Mike Whalley led the men's vets (over 50) in 18.57, ahead of Peter Lever in 19.40, while Dorothy Gilchrist led the women in that category in 24.23, followed by Christine DeSilva (29.01).

First junior boy (under 18) was Nathan Trott in 21.25.

In a separate race for schoolchildren, Calvert Lee was a clear winner among the secondary boys as he clocked an impressive 17.04, with Tyler Butterfield finishing second in 17.54 and Kris Hedges third in 18.22. Elisha Miller led the girls in 21.42 ahead of A.J.Crane (22.00) and Erica Frith (22.32).

A separate race for the primary schoolchildren over 2.8 kilometres saw Lawson Williams break the tape in nine minutes flat, 11 seconds clear of second-placed Henry Talbot. Shane Morrissey took third in 9.38. Jaynae Dillas (9.41), Shar-dae Whitter (9.49) and Flora Duffy (10.08) led the girls.

KAVIN SMITH -- set a new course record of 14 minutes, 57 seconds.

JULIA HAWLEY -- first female in yesterday's 5K.