Tyler Butterfield defended his boys under-18 (formerly secondary schools division) title with what he called his "best race ever'', as he clipped 13 seconds off his winning time a year ago on Front Street last night.

Despite the rainy and windy conditions, it was a night of outstanding school mile races as Shar-dae Whitter (12) of Sandys Middle School became the youngest ever winner in the under-18 girls, while Flora Duffy and Terrence Dill performed superbly to win in the respective girls' and boys' under-12 divisions. A year ago Whitter had to settle for third in the primary girls race behind Jaynae Dillas and Tiffany Eatherley with a time of 6:10.0.

But this time nobody, not even defending champion Jennifer Young, could stop her as she sprinted home in 5:54.2. Young had to settle for second place in 6:01.4 and Elisha Miller third in 6:03.7.

"I feel great,'' said a proud Whitter afterwards. "I just tried to stay with the front pack and stay in the lead.'' With the second and third place finishers from last year, Patrina Swan and Jarita Dill, both absent it was expected Warwick Academy's Young would have things a little easier as she chased a second straight triumph.

But it wasn't to be as she found herself having to contend with a new bunch of talented runners like Whitter, Eatherley and Dillas, none of whom looked out of place in the older age group.

Dillas, the primary winner last year, was fourth this time in 6:17.1 while Ashley Robinson Roberts was fifth in 6:19.6 and Eatherley sixth in 6:31.5.

Cheri Minors, fourth last year, was pushed into seventh by the newcomers.

Butterfield was also pushed hard in the boys race, but a strong kick to the finish saw him home in 4:41.7, 13 seconds better than his winning time of 4:54.8 in 1997.

Jeremiah Smith, who beat him in the trials by a second, came in next 13 seconds behind while a determined Aaron Williams, second last year, was third this time in 4:59.9.

"My strategy was to go out early and that's what I did and it turned out great. I had the best race I ever had,'' said Butterfield, whose time matched the second place finisher (Sheldon Thompson) in the adult male race.

Just 14, Butterfield still has time to match Michael Donawa's achievement of three straight wins, though the windy conditions did not allow him to get close to Donawa's record time of 4:27.7.

"After the first quarter I tried to make a gap,'' said Butterfield. "I didn't feel much wind at all.'' The evening began with a spectacular race by Duffy of Port Royal in the under-12 girls as the 10-year-old picked up her first Front Street Mile victory by finishing in 5:59.1, 10 seconds ahead of early leader Danielle Watson of Spice Valley.

Duffy, whose favourite event is cross-country, was fourth last year behind Dillas, Eatherley and Whitter.

In the under-12 boys, Dill of Dellwood gained revenge on Tyler Abbott from last year by breaking the tape in 5:39.9, 10 seconds in front of Abbott who pipped James Lister in a sprint for second place. Last year Abbott beat Dill by almost eight seconds.

TOP OF THE CLASS -- Tyler Butterfield and Shar-dae Whitter led the respective boys and girls under-18 divisions with impressive victories.