Sylvester Jean-Pierre: With several top runners absent, he too advantage to win yesterday's BTFA half-marathon. Photo by David Skinner

Veteran runner Sylvester Jean-Pierre took full advantage of a weak field to win the Bermuda Track and Field Association's fall half-marathon yesterday.

Second to Tracy Wright a year ago, Jean-Pierre not only led home the field this time around but also set a course record for masters (over 40) with a time of one hour, 16 minutes and ten seconds.

The 13.1 mile race, which took runners from St. George's to the Hamilton finish line at Bull's Head car park, proved easier than Jean-Pierre might have expected as prominent runners such as course record-holder Kavin Smith, Jay Donawa, Brett Forgesson and Wright were all among the absentees.

Smith registered but later withdrew because of another commitment while Wright is injured.

Jamal Hart placed second almost five minutes behind the winner in in 1.21.09 while Mitchell DeShield placed third in 1.22.49.

Mark Albouy, first in the senior masters (over 50) took fourth overall in 1.23.26 followed by Michael Mello (1.24.02) and Steve Donnelly (1.24.34).

Defending champion Anna Eatherley, the women's favourite, lived up to that billing as she romped home in 1.26.32 to place eighth overall in a total field of just over 50 runners.

Although Eatherley won by a comfortable margin, track runner Ashley Cooper turned in a creditable performance to finish second in 1.28.53.

Victoria Fiddick was third in 1.29.53.

Full results, see Scoreboard.

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