Former resident Dennis Mbelenzi has saluted Bermudians for showing him love on his return to the island as he successfully defended his PwC Bermuda Marathon title after easing to victory in difficult conditions.

Mbelenzi, 42, won the race in 2hr 42min 44sec, much slower that than the 2:29:55 he achieved last year, and he also came out on top in the Chubb Bermuda Triangle full challenge after competing in the Butterfield Challenge Mile and BF&M 10K Run & Walk.

It was Mbelenzi’s first competition on the island since he ran in last year’s Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby, in which he crossed the line first but was ineligible to pick up any prize money as he is no longer a resident

“I'm so happy to come back to Bermuda, defend my title and to win the full challenge in the process,’’ Mbelenzi said.

“Today, I knew right away through 5km that the course record was out of the question. I tried to match last year’s pace, but then last year I was only doing the marathon so I was much fresher.

“With the wind and having done a 10K yesterday and a mile the day before, I knew I was not up for it. Right then I decided I had a race that had to be won, and I just had to manage my effort throughout.

“It’s a tough course so I'm happy to take the win, even though in a slower time.”

While Mbelenzi was isolated from the rest of the runners for the better part of the race, he felt the love from spectators along the course.

“It was lonely in terms of the competition, but with the crowd I never felt alone,’’ he told The Royal Gazette.

“The one reason I love coming to Bermuda, even though it’s a small island, is the crowd is very passionate. I always say that when I'm racing in Bermuda I feel like I'm racing at home.

“The people know me and I believe they love seeing me race, and they show that throughout the course with their positive energy.”

Adam Prunty finished second ahead of Moses Mufandaedza in his first marathon on the island.

“It was really tough, quite a strong wind at the start and it was quite humid and hilly for the first half,’’ Prunty, 28, said.

“I ran the whole race on my own which made it pretty tough. It’s a tough course and the humidity made it even harder.”

Having failed to finish last year’s race because of cramp, the 43-year-old Mufandaedza did not allow the stiffness in his legs to deny him a place on the podium this time around.

“Humidity for me was a killer,’’ said Mufandaedza, who is preparing for the Boston Marathon in April.

“I started cramping on mile 19 and I could feel it coming. I tried to delay as much as I could but eventually it came and I just had to crawl to the finish line.

“When Adam passed me I was walking at that point trying to shake off the cramp. I had nothing to give at that stage, I knew if I kept running I'd be able to hold on to second place.

“I was determined to finish the race. I couldn't quit twice in a row.”

Mark Morrison was the first Bermudian to cross the finish line in fourth. The 39-year-old, who is based in England, was running in his maiden marathon.

“I'm so honoured to be the first Bermudian,’’ Morisson said. “I enjoyed my first full marathon. Bermuda is quite a hard course, so it wasn't about the time, it was about the places.

“I tried to stay up at the front but then, obviously a little inexperience, I eased back a bit.

“I'm turning 40 this year. I've got good times at 5k, 10k, half-marathon so I figured it’s time to do a full marathon for sure.

“I’ll be back home for my birthday to run May 24th as well. This is my last year of being competitive, so I'm trying to make the most of it.”

Rose-Anna Hoey clocked 3:11:45 to win the women’s race ahead of the Swedish duo of Malin Ramne and Felicia Nolaker. Hoey, 42, finished fifth overall, while last year’s champion Stephanie Hodge was eleventh.

“It was a tough race because it actually started raining in the first half of the marathon,’’ Hoey said.

“Before the rain it was extremely humid but it was tough for everybody, I just had to dig in.

“It’s the first time I've won the marathon so it’s really thrilling. I've won the Bermuda Triangle Challenge and won the half challenge before.

“I wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2025 and I've done it.”

Ramne, 27, competing for the first time in Bermuda, also won the women’s full challenge.

“It’s a very fun format to compete in,’’ Ramne said. “I prefer to run the long distances but to have an incentive to also try the shorter distances, it’s very fun.

“The marathon was a beautiful race, very nice course. It was quite tough since it was quite warm and I'm not used to that, but then the rain came and it helped with my rhythm.”

“I would love to come next year, I just have to see if everything else lines up so that I can actually make it.

“This is going to be a top recommendation to all of my friends to come here and race.”

Nolaker, 30, the runner-up in the women’s full challenge, also enjoyed taking part in her maiden marathon.

“It was fun, the course was hilly and the weather was a bit up and down,’’ she said.

“I felt good, it was my first marathon so I'm happy just to finish it. I didn't know how to run it but I did my best.”