Americans Andrew Brodeur and Danielle Tauro stamped their class on the Jamaican road-racing catalogue with victory at the 32nd staging of the High Mountain Coffee 10K Road Race in Williamsfield, Manchester, yesterday.

Brodeur, who won the event last year, successfully defended his status, while Tauro returned to top the female list of Jamaica’s longest-running road race and most challenging 10K event.

Brodeur was just about two minutes slower than his winning time of 31:39 minutes last year, as he finished in a time of 33:32 minutes. Kirk Brown (34:28) and Dwayne Graham (34:44) took the runners-up spot.

The Shore Athletic Club representative said the rigorous course was test of his strength, stamina and endurance.

“This (the time) goes to show you that this course can still sneak up on you even if you have run it for the past two years. Even with the rain, the humidity was still killing me… those last three kilometres, so I was exhausted by the end of the race,” said Brodeur, who travelled from Maryland, Virginia.

Tauro, who hails from Michigan, shared the same sentiments.

“I think I went out at a pretty good pace. I got to the point where the hill starts to really stretch my legs. I knew it was going to be a challenging day and I was biding my time, so as soon as we made the turn going downhill I switched gears,” she said.

“But I think the hill took a big toll on my legs than it had a few years ago. So I just tried to keep pushing to get to the finish line and getting in first and I did, so I am happy,” she added.

Tauro, who also represents Shore Athletic Club, won the event in 2013, but missed out last year due to injury. She completed the course in 40:54 minutes, ahead of Juliett Dinnal (44:42) of Church Teachers College and Mayeshi Mead (45:34) of Bellefield High.

The 5K Run/Walk, which was designed for the fitness-conscious individuals who do not care for the rigours of a 10K Run, was won by Shemar Salmon of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Salmon completed the course in 16:07 minutes, ahead of teammates Javauney James (16:29) and Romario Gutherie (17:05).

Anneisha Lawrence of Bellefield High was the first female to complete the course. She won in 20:09 minutes ahead of teammate Ashanti Levy (20:26) and St Elizabeth Technical’s Chantae Smith (20:49).

Meanwhile, Rohan Gordon of Eden Garden Wellness, followed up on his victory in the LIME 6K walk to win the male category in 27:14 minutes. Andre Smith (29:16) and Duwell Allen (29:46) were second and third respectively.

The female section was topped by Paula Sinclair of Ageless Wonders in a time of 33:33 minutes. Lucozade’s Latoya Walker (35:19) finished second, while Tracey Tapper (35:51), representing Bank of Jamaica, was third.

Both male and female winners of the 5K road race received a cash prize of $20,000, and L O Minott Scholarships, established in honour of the founder of Jamaica Standard Products Company Ltd. They also received the Lincoln ‘Tippy’ Williams Trophy, named in honour of the former 5K meet director.

The 5K Corporate Walk for the seventh year, has provided the opportunity for citizens and corporate Jamaica to contribute to two of the company’s charities –Hanbury and Windsor Lodge Children’s homes.

The participation in the event has deteriorated compared to previous years as this year’s staging was graced with approximately 600 participants.

(PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNETT)