Jonathan Herring and Karen Smith lived up to their favourites’ tags after claiming top male and female honours in the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Triathlon at Clearwater on Saturday.

Herring was made to work hard for the win by visitor Eric Soria, of Miami Beach, Florida, who exited the water with a minute lead on the Bermudian.

However, Herring had closed the gap by the end of the bike and was just behind Soria going into the five-kilometres run.

Herring’s solid run proved the difference as he finished in 1hr 02min 19sec with Soria just behind in 1:02:28. Neil de ste Croix was third in 1:03:45.

In the women’s race, Smith was first across the line, winning in 1:06:46. Melissa Logie was second in 1:12:26, with Cora Lee Starzomski third in 2:16:10.