US distance runner John Naill ran for his `wife' during the Island's International Race Weekend.

Farmer John, from Arkansas, did not pick up a trophy in the 10K and half-marathon races.

But he won a bride after hotel hospitality desk host Betty Smith went the extra mile to help him and fiancee Laura Conway get their wedding plans off the starting blocks.

Mrs. Smith sprinted to the rescue after Mr. Naill and Ms Conway got to the marriage starting line -- but did not know which direction to go in.

Mr. Naill, who crossed the wedding finish line at St. Peter's in St. George's on Thursday, said: "We were very lucky -- Laura went to the tourist desk on Tuesday and Betty was on duty and asked if she could help us.

"Laura said we needed a lot of help -- and we did. Betty deserves all the accolades. We had a plan to get married, but everything she did was amazing.'' Mr. Naill said Mrs. Smith not only found them a spot at her own church, a photographer and a florist, but organised a cake and reception at her own home.

But -- in an amazing coincidence -- Mr. Naill found his own best man on Ordnance Island in St. George's just before Thursday's wedding ceremony after he asked a man to take a photograph of him and his bride.

For the man he asked to take the snap was ex-Arkansas Congressman Ed Bethune who had partnered Mr. Naill at tennis more than a decade ago.

Mr. Naill said: "The guy said he knew me from somewhere and we worked it out from there.

"I'd already asked Betty to be a witness and Ed agreed as well -- it was perfect.'' Mr. Naill said he and Ms Conway decided to get married last August and had completed the paperwork.

But he added: "There were two or three possibilities. One was just a civil service and maybe a long shot on a church service.'' Mrs. Smith, however, took over and organised the couple's main event of the weekend.

Mr. Naill said he and Laura had competed in the races last year and decided they wanted to get married in romantic Bermuda.

He added: "It was such a nice place. Everything was perfect and we thought it would be the perfect place to get married.'' Mrs. Smith, who works for Bermuda Island Cruises, admitted it was a first for her -- but added it was all in a day's work.

She said: "I've helped out couples who were getting married, like getting flowers and things. But I've never had to do a wedding in two days.''