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Quigley weathers the storm

A strong finish from surprise winner Sean Quigley proved too much for pre-race favourite Joel Melly in Saturday's International 10K.

The duo broke free from the rest of the elite runners midway through the wet weather race and became embroiled in an intriguing two-horse tussle that saw Quigley gallop ahead of Melly going into Frog Lane within a mile of the finish.

It marked a memorable debut for the 22-year-old American who took the men's title in Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in New York a fortnight ago.

"I knew he (Melly) was hurting and I could hear him breathing heavily behind me," said Quigley, who finished with a time of 29:35. "I didn't feel that great myself but I knew I had enough left in me.

"It was the first time I'd seen the course and there were some tough hills out there. But I came here to win and I did just that."

Melly posted a time of 29:37, while compatriot Haron Lagat came third in 29:52.

Bermuda's Chris Estwanik was once again the leading local, finishing seventh in 33:04. Top Island runner Lamont Marshall was just behind in 10th place with a time of 33:19.

And there was a superb run by 18-year-old Bermudian Sean Trott who placed 11th to lift the overall 12-19 age group division, clocking 34:08.

Quigley said the rainy conditions, sometimes torrential, did not have a major bearing on Saturday's race: "I try not to think about the rain to be honest," he said. "You can't let it affect you and let it get in the way. It was business as usual as far as I was concerned. It's still a lot warmer here than it is in Philadelphia where I'm from."

Leading local Estwanik, who finished fourth in Friday's Front Street Mile, was delighted with his performance which was around 40 seconds faster than his finishing time last year.

"Considering I had ran two Front Street Miles on Friday I was very pleased with my time," said Estwanik, who is also competing in the Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

"I tried to stay with the front pack for as long as I could but when they kicked off I just didn't have the legs to stay with them.

"As I'm doing all the races I always knew it was going to be an accumulative effort for me."

He added: "The conditions were probably worse last year despite today's heavy rain – last year the winds were brutal. I thought the spectators were superb. It gives you such a lift when you hear people shouting your name and encouraging you. It makes a huge difference."

Friday night's Elite Mile winner Neil Speaight from England cruised to a 21st place finish in a time of 38:07.

Other outstanding performances from local runners included that of 43-year-old Geofrrey Blee who placed 31st overall in 38:45 to win both the local and overall Masters title and second in that division Mark Wilcox (40:43).

Evergreen Mark Albouy, 56, placed 39th was first local senior Master in 41:14 and second overall in that category which was won by 50-year-old American Fred Gasten (34th in 40:16).

Frequent visitor and former resident, 62-year-old Ronnie Wong won the 60-69 age category in 42:39, beating out two other well-known faces, Michael Whaley and Sid Howard who turns 70 later this year and hopes to compete in the World Age Group Track Championships.

See 207 more photos at Spotted on the Rock"