On a day when siblings came to the fore at the Bermuda School Sports Federation Primary School Cross-Country Championships, Naomi MacGuinness put up a brilliant display to win the girls over-9 title at the Flora Duffy Stadium.

MacGuinness, 10, from Warwick Academy, crossed the finish line in 9min 53sec to successfully defend her title and she is no stranger to victory after taking the women’s honours in last month’s David Saul Memorial Fidelity 5K and winning the Butterfield Mile primary school girls contest.

“I did try to stay consistent through the whole race,” MacGuinness said.

“The hilly course was really tough, but the wind didn't really affect me. I'm used to running in the wind. I just try my best when I run and my hard work is paying off.

“I took a little bit of a break after Front Street but did the Fidelity 5K and won it. Next for me is the Skyport Magic Mile on March 2 and I won my age group last year.”

There was also joy for the Horrobin family when brothers Nolan and Liam, both at Saltus Grammar School, won their respective races, with Nolan the under-9 boys champion and Liam triumphing among the over-9s.

Nolan, 7, found the race, which was dominated by Saltus a lot tougher than in his first year of competing.

“The race was hard and I just had to keep on going,’’ Nolan said. “Second and third were both from Saltus so it made me go faster, too. I run like my brother Liam, I really find running fun and my coaches encourage me to run faster.”

Liam, 9, improved on his second place from last year’s race and after two laps on the track, Liam was in the lead with Sahjah Williams of Victor Scott when the route took the runners out to the Arboretum, but on his return to the stadium the older of the Horrobin brothers had managed to kick clear.

“It feels so good for me and my brother to win because I wanted him to win,” Liam told The Royal Gazette.

“It was nerve-racking when there so many people at the start. I told myself, push yourself and pace yourself, and just go as hard as you can.

“It was hard after the two laps as I had a guy staying right next to me. He was really fast, so I just had to pace myself and he fell off on the big hill.

“The end of the race was the most difficult because we had so many people cheering. I had to sprint because I didn’t know if anybody was following closely behind.

“I'm so happy my mum was here to support us and she was pushing me all the way to get first position.”

Bermuda High School for Girls had a champion in the under-9 girls race with Parker Howard the first across the line ahead of Teagan Scott-Hanley, of Mount Saint Agnes. Parker’s sister Piper, who is also at BHS, finished third in the over-9 competition.

Parker, 8, was running the race for the first time and highlighted how she managed to deal with jitters.

“I feel good because I won it for BHS and that’s my school,” Parker said.

“The race was good. I felt a little bit nervous at the beginning and then I realised that it was not about winning, it’s just about doing your best.”

Piper, 10, was pleased to secure a spot on the podium after she finished fourth in the same race last year.

“It’s my first time to be on the podium,’’ she said. “Because my sister won her race, when I was running I told myself I have to be on that podium.”

Saltus took the team honours in the under-9 girls, under-9 boys, and over-9 boys race, while Warwick Academy won the overall team title in the over-9 girls.