The Bermuda National Athletics Association Cross-Country Series got under way in style, with a host of impressive performances amid challenging conditions at the Arboretum on Saturday.

The men’s 17 to 19 age category proved particularly hard fought with Tommy Marshall narrowly pipping Iziah Tucker to victory over the 2.6-mile course. Marshall crossed the line in a time of 15min 2sec, less than three seconds ahead his nearest rival. Yari Tucker completed the podium places.

There was also a narrow victory for Fenella Wightman in the women’s 14 to 16 age division where she finished in 18:17, a little more than 13 seconds ahead of Shayla Cann. Daria Desmond crossed the line in 20:17 to take third place ahead of Carina Bortoli.

The strongly represented men’s 14 to 16 division, proved just as close, with J'Auza James taking the honours in a time of 15:01, slightly more than 15 seconds clear of nearest rival Tajahri Rogers, with Manning Smith finishing third in 16:08.

In the highly competitive men’s 40 to 49 age division, Darryl Herrick clinched victory in a time of 16:16, ahead of Chris Parry (16:53) and John Thompson (17:18). In the corresponding women’s age division, Rebecca Shepherd clocked a winning time of 19:05, ahead of Sarah Thompson, who crossed the line in 19:48 and Caroline Black, who completed the top three in 22:28.

One of the most exciting finishes of the day came in the men’s under-10 race with less than a second between race winner Ronan Davidge in 7:15.67 and second-place finisher Liam Horrobin, in 7:16.36. Reid Qutub claimed third place in 8:10. There was also a close finish in the women’s under-10 race, where Solae Goater (7:46) prevailed ahead of Elena Bortoli (7:48).

There was also joy for Chavi Pacheco-Hill, who clinched victory in the men’s 10 to 11 age group, in a winning time of 6:08 ahead of Carter Thomas (6:15) and Harrison Estwanik (6:35). There was a commanding performance from Kelise Wade in the women’s 10 to 11 race, finishing 22 seconds ahead of her nearest rival Antoinette Barry.

Cameron Adkins was victorious in the men’s 12 to 13 race, clocking 10:49 to finish ahead of Tom Hyland (10:56), while in the corresponding women’s age race, Jaeda Grant stormed to a convincing victory, crossing the line in 10:55, slightly more than 40 seconds ahead of her nearest rival S’Nya Cumbermack.

“It was great getting the 2021 cross-country season under way,” said Cal Simons, the race director. “Everyone involved in the event worked really hard to make this event happen.”

Racing will continue this Saturday at the same venue with the entry fee raised from $10 to $16 to cover the cost of antigen lateral flow test kits.

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X-Country Results.pdf