Local runners upstaged their overseas counterparts by winning the major prizes on Sunday’s first Montego Bay Half Marathon and Fun Run staged by the Rotary Club of Montego Bay

The Jamaica Defence Force’s Phillip Edwards won the Half Marathon while local fitness instructor Sharlene Shakes was the first female across the line in the 21 K race.

Gregory James, president of the Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club, running for the Super Plus team, won the IOK while Nicole MacPherson was the first female across the line.

The event was not without its problems however, starting just under 15 minutes late and most of the 78 athletes who took part in both events, especially those in the longer event, complained about the severity of the course.

Edwards, who earlier this year won the Jamaica Tourist Board Marathon in Kingston, told The Gleaner soon after his victory that he was a little disappointed with his unofficial time of 1 hour 16.59 seconds.