Chayce Smith and Stepanka Sprincova came out triumphant in the Bermuda Union of Teachers 5K Run/Walk yesterday.

Competing among a field of 101 runners on a challenging course, which started and finished at Mills Creek, Smith held off the challenge of Jackson Langley to cross the line in a winning time of 16min 45sec, nearly a minute clear of his nearest rival.

While second overall in a time of 17:41, Langley was still among the honours, taking first place in the Senior School division.

Tim Price was third across the line overall and runner-up in the main division, in 17:55, with Kwame Curling rounding out the top three places in 18:22.

A disappointed Langley conceded his inexperience of proper race management proved pivotal after pushing Smith early before fading in the latter stages.

“I need to learn the pacing part of these properly,” said the talented 15-year-old, who specialises in triathlon.

“We went out so hard from the start and were pushing a 5:20 opening mile, which ideally you don’t want to be going that fast, that early.

“Coming along North Shore I just lost it a bit. It was a tough course, but if you’re strong with the mental side of pacing your race properly you can manage it better.

“However, I know that comes with more race experience and that’s the main reason I want to do as many races as possible because the only way I can get that experience is to keep racing.

“I was really pleased to be able to push the more experienced runners and I know I can learn a lot from each race I do.”

There was also joy for Sprincova, who was fifth overall in a time of 19:52 comfortably clear of the second female finisher Rebecca Shepherd (22:29), who was 22nd overall, with Sophie Wells completing the podium places in 23:30, good enough for 30th overall.

“I’m really happy,” said Sprincova. “It was a similar course to the Butterfield & Vallis 5K and so I knew what to expect with the two major hills.

“The hills don’t really suit my running, but the rest of the course which is flat does and so that really helped me.

“I’ve had some good results and I feel like I’m having one of my best years running so I’m happy. I’ve just turned 40, but the older I’m getting the faster I seem to be getting, so that’s great.”

Of the remaining runners in the Senior School division, Anthony Harkness finished second behind Langley in 17:41. Zylah Bean (26:34) took top spot in the female division, pipping Ann Pursell to victory by just five seconds.

In the Middle School category, Nazir Johnson came out on top in a winning time of 9:38, narrowly ahead of Sukanya Jobson (9:49) with Riana Robinson (10:07) rounding out the top three finishers.

Shiloh Stevens triumphed in the Upper Primary School race, crossing the line in 9:46, ahead of Khaleef Daley (10:15) and Jemani Scott (11:15).

In a hotly contested Lower Primary School race, Elliott Davidge prevailed in a time of 2:12, pipping Brooklyn Emery (2:17), with Luka Evans (2:20) completing the podium places.

The event, which helped raise funds for the Union’s Youth Development Fund, also included a competitive walk division, which featured Junior Watts coming on top in a winning time of 34:08. Nancy Andrews-Sousa (35:04) finished runner-up, with Vanessa Conway (37:07) rounding out the podium places.