THE Jamaica Defence Force's (JDF's) Phillip Edwards beat off strong challenges from Windalco's Robert Watson and former winner, Linton McKenzie, to win the third renewal of the RJR Radio Two Fun and Run Half Marathon in a time of 1:15:16 at the Police Officers Club yesterday.

Watson was second in 1:15:43, while McKenzie was third with 1:15:55.

Areita Martin topped the women's section in 1:34:57, beating Tacius Golding's Tameka Thomas (1:38:58) and Nadine Henry (1:45:04).

Although expressing surprise at his victory, Edwards said he still thought he could have done better.

"I wasn't expecting this. I'd planned to run to the best of my ability, but I wasn't expecting to win," he said. "I'm not very pleased though, because I could have run a better time.

"It's not a bad time but I would like to take about five minutes off the half marathon time," he added.

The course started at the Police Officers' Club on Hope Road, down to Half-Way-Tree Road and onto Eastwood Park Road, then Red Hills Road and Washington Boulevard before heading up Molynes Road and back onto Hope Road. The route is repeated.

After trailing both Watson and McKenzie closely for the first lap and most of the second, Edwards got into his stride on Washington Boulevard before eventually getting the better of his opponents coming up Molynes Road.

"We were running together all along until we reached the second lap on Molynes Road, then I realised I was taking my time and gradually getting away," he said.

Edwards received $10,000 plus return tickets to Miami and a trophy for his success. The female champions received similar awards and prize money.

Martin said victory was just a formality as she knew she would win: "I was expecting this victory from a long time ago so I just came here ... and executed what I had to execute and it turned out okay," she said.

The second placed finishers in both categories took home $7,500, while third place went away with $5,000.

The males 15-19 relay event went to Holmwood Technical in 1:15:42 from Tacius Golding, which captured the 10-14 age group in 1:25:03 from Glengoffe High.

Meanwhile, Edwin Allen High School won both female relays. The seniors won in 1:25:45 and the Juniors in 1:36:01. Each relay winner collected $6,000.

Veteran road-racer, Roy Thomas, affectionately called Uncle Roy, completed the event in 2:37:50. 'Uncle Roy' will be honoured this Wednesday with a Musgrave Medal for his contribution to long-distance running over the years.

Of the over 6,000 participants, about half were primary and high school students, while the other half comprised running clubs, organisations and individuals.

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