Chayce Smith installed himself as the outright favourite for next month’s adult male Front Street Mile race when he recorded by far the fastest time during trials at the National Sports Centre over the weekend.

Smith stopped the clock at four minutes, 27.6 seconds almost 25 seconds ahead of second-placed qualifier Dario Clarke (4:52.2) with Sean Trott just behind in 4:53.7.

As expected, former track star and road running champion Ashley Estwanik led home the female qualifiers in 5:38.9 with Jennifer Alen just a tenth of a second behind, clocking 5:39.0. Tamika Williams was the third qualifier with a time of 5:53.6.

However, with only 12 runners in the female trial and also 12 in the male race, all those who competed will go through to the main races on January 14, the opening event of the annual International Race Weekend.

In the newly introduced Masters Division (40 and over), Gary Raynor led the male qualifiers in 4:53.3. He was followed by Christopher Harris (4:10.6) and Steve Burgess (5:17.3).

Among the female Masters, Victoria Fiddick cruised home in 5:47.4, followed by recent Hawaii Ironman competitor Karen Smith (5:52.0). Third place went to Sheryl Richardson (6:39.1).

Bigger fields turned up for the school trials with Laura Hope finishing as top qualifier among the female Primary runners with a time of 6:35.7. Not far behind was Michaela Outerbridge in 6:40.3, with Ashley Irby third in 6:41.2.

Aaron Jacobs was fastest among the Primary boys with a time of 6:09.0, just pipping Rajae Paul (6:09.5) and Matteo Dill (6:10.3).

The Middle Schools female trials saw Zakiyya Showers clock 5:58.1, just ahead of Kyra Scraders (5:58.9. Third was Aaliya Nolan in 6:02.1.

In the Middle male race, Jermiah Steede was top qualifier in 5:32.0. Paul Smith took second place in 5:36.1 followed by David Darrell in 5:37.9

Two runners dipped under five minutes in the Senior schools boys’ race, with Trey Simons finishing in 4:52.3 and Shaquille Dill in 4:58.4. Juma Mouchette followed in 5:01.0.

Gabrielle Arnold hit the line first among the Senior girls, clocking 5:58.5. Taylor-Ashley Bean was second in 5:59.5 and Rayni’ Maybury third in 6:02.2.

Full results, see Scoreboard, Page 14.