Chris and Ashley Estwanik reprised their husband and wife race-winning combination of a year ago to successfully defend their Bacardi 8K road race titles yesterday.In an impressive display of front running, Chris smashed the course record in 24 minutes and 46 seconds, beating Lamont Marshall’s mark of 25.25 set two years ago.The former US Olympic team trial finalist was untroubled in the race, opening up a commanding lead in the first few miles that eventually gave him a three-minute margin of victory over closest rival Gary Raynor. Third man home was Christopher Harris.“I went out two weeks ago and did a workout with Sean Trott and Chayce Smith. That gave me a lot of confidence to go out today and attack the race,” he said.“It is one of those courses where you can’t really get a good rhythm going,” he noted, but said he was pleased with his performance, which represents the fastest 8K he has chalked up in Bermuda. Chris, 31, said both he and Ashley are looking at future running challenges and are pondering the possibility of racing the full 26.2-mile marathon distance.The Estwaniks celebrated the arrival of their second child, son Harrison, during the summer. Yesterday’s Bacardi race was Ashley’s comeback race (outside of a team triathlon). She started at a conservative pace, but soon had early leaders Jennifer Alen and Deon Breary in her sights.The lead swapped between the trio of top women during the middle section of the race, which looped from the Bacardi HQ on Pitts Bay Road, to Spanish Point, North Shore Road, Berkeley Road and a return along Pitts Bay Road.“I wanted to test myself and see where I was today. I started conservatively. I saw Jenny and Deon and then had them in striking distance. I’ve been aware of how well they have both been running this year from reading the reports in the paper,” said the 2006 Commonwealth Games 1500m finalist.“I was staying with them and then the lead went back and forth between all of us. I passed Jenny at Spanish Point and then Deon passed both of us further on.” Ashley, 33, said she appreciated being able to have such close competitiveness in the race. She eventually moved ahead to win in 31.44 from Alen, who ran 32.01 and third-placed Breary in 32.59.Another notable record to fall in yesterday’s event was the men’s over-60s mark. Eddie Fisher, 61, eclipsed his 2010 winning time by almost a full minute to set a new age-group course record of 33.57.In the 8K walk, which was held in conjunction with the run, Sinclair Smith was first in 54.27, with Davina Dickinson recording the same time. Third place went to Loren Belboda in 54.40.A total of 334 runners and 119 walkers completed the 8K course.Bacardi 8K Road Race age group winners:Women: (Overall) Ashley Estwanik 31.44; (18-39) Jennifer Alen 32.01; (40-49) Deon Breary 32.59; (50-59) Lorna Hussey 42.26.Men: (Overall) Chris Estwanik 24.46; (18-39) Gideon Kigotho 29.44; (40-49) Gary Raynor 27.48; (50-59) Ifor Hughes 33.55; (+60) Eddie Fisher 33.57.