But despite another convincing win in yesterday's Butterfield and Vallis 5K, there were signs that the Island's young pretenders are gaining ground.

Smith won comfortably in a fast 15 minutes, 41 seconds, with the ever improving Tyler Butterfield, who will celebrate his 16th birthday later this month, some 40 seconds back in 16:28.

Sheldon Thompson grabbed third in 16:34 and John Wassemaar fourth in 16:48 while the meteoric rise of Saltus student Mark Morrison continued as he took fifth place in an impressive 16:51.

A bumper field of more than 420 runners gathered for the event, over 230 in the 5K and nearly that many again in a separate 3K for primary and middle school students, run as part of the new KPMG race series.

While Smith dominated the men, Karen Adams was equally impressive among the women, finishing 18th overall in 18:21 -- more than one and a half minutes ahead of second-placed Julia Hawley (20:10). Georgia Belboda was third in 20:22.

Full results, see Scoreboard Photos by Ras Mykkal PACE ACE -- Kavin Smith (423) takes an early lead, which he never relinquished, in yesterday's Butterfield and Vallis 5K. Below, almost 200 middle school and primary school students set out on a separate 3K as part of the KPMG road race series.