domination by winning the Gasparilla 15K on Saturday.

Kimani, who set eight course records last year, finished 38 seconds ahead of countryman Stephen Nyamo, winner of Bermuda's International 10K a week earlier. The winning time of 43 minutes, 11 seconds was 36 seconds off the course record.

"I like to run in the US because the competition is very tough,'' he said.

"It helps push me.'' South African Elana Meyer, who also triumphed at the Bermuda 10K, won the women's division by 54 seconds, in 48.48.

"I'm very satisfied since this was my first major event coming back off the (Achilles) injury,'' she said.

The winners, who earned $10,000 each, dominated from the start. Kimani held a 19-second lead at the half-way point.

American Joe Lemay (44.37) finished third, followed by Zambia's Charles Mulinga (44.41) and Cesar Julio Valle (45.15) of Mexico.

Bill Rodgers, 49, winner of the inaugural Gasparilla 20 years ago, finished 19th in 49.39.

Meyer never was challenged in her first real test since suffering an Achilles tendon injury at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where was considered a medal favourite.

"I'm just very happy to be back racing again,'' Meyer said. "This is what I love.'' She was followed by Joyce Chepchumba (49.42) of Kenya, Ramila Burangulova (49.58) of Russia, American Debbi Kilpatrick (50.38) and Aniela Nikiel (51.25) of Poland.