L-R: Half marathon winner Jonathan Volpi of Boca Raton, Florida poses with Marathon Bahamas Chairman, Sir Franklyn Wilson and marathon winner, Amos DeJardins of Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by Rogan Smith)

NASSAU, Bahamas (January 19, 2016) – Justin Gillette’s winning streak is over.

Amos Desjardins, 34, of Alexandria, Virginia, walked – or rather – ran away with the top overall male title on Sunday, during the 7^th annual Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas.

Desjardins unseated Gillette, the two-time marathon champion, who was hoping for a third victory before leg cramps dashed his hopes.

Another American, Jonathan Volpi, 32, of Boca Raton, Florida won the half marathon. He crossed the finish line in a time of 1:15:03.

Volpi – who won his race for the third consecutive year – said The Bahamas’ proximity to his hometown and the atmosphere keeps him coming back.

“It’s a good race and it’s not too far away. It’s a completely different atmosphere with a unique crowd of spectators. We had a lot of international competitors here this year, So, it’s a lot of fun,” said Volpi.

After winning his race, Volpi stood near the finish line waiting to shake the hand of Bahamian marathoner, Keithrell Hanna, 42, who crossed the finish line second with a time of 1:19:55.

The Grand Bahama resident said he was determined to beat his time from 2015 and he did.

“I thank God for it. The competition was tight. The gentleman from the United States, I tried to beat him, but he was just running and running. He was at a pace a little faster than mine. I couldn’t catch him. But, I thank God for getting second place.”

Half marathon winner, Jonathan Volpi (Photo: Rogan Smith))

Hanna says he hopes to run the marathon in the Olympics for The Bahamas.

Marathon Bahamas is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

The top overall female for the marathon was Sarah Dohan, 20, who crossed the finish line with a time of 3:41:39.

Marina Peron, 32, won the top overall female title in the half marathon with a time of 1:35:14.

“The race was quite difficult because of the wind and the rain. Except for the bridge at the start, the course was basically a flat one, so it was good to get through it in the rain. I am very happy to be here. The race was well-organized and the people on the street really support you,” said Peron who was visiting The Bahamas for the first time.

Despite inclement weather in the early hours, the marathon went off without a hitch, although some runners did bemoan the humidity.

Marina Peron (Photo: Rogan Smith)

The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend was sponsored by: Sunshine Insurance, Atlantis Paradise Island, BahamasLocal.com; the Ministry of Tourism, Focol, Soctiabank, Subway, Arawak Homes, RoyalStar Assurance, NAD, BTC, Dasani, Sunshine Finance, Poise, Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, Bahamas Medical & Surgical Supplies Ltd., Roman Meal, Vitamalt, Pantene, PharmaChem Technologies, Bahamas Waste, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Tropical Shipping, The Sign Man, TheBahamasWeekly.com, RBC Royal Bank, Pure Silk Bahamas, Graham Thompson, Milo Butler, Doctors Hospital, Dunkin’ Donuts, Deloitte, Sawyer’s Fresh Market, The Mailboat Company Ltd., BGC Limited, Bahamasair; Runner’s Depot, Grand Bahama Power Company, MSC Bahamas Ltd., Dremer Entertainment, Handling Your health Wellness & Rehab, Gatorade, UPS, Nassau Container Port, Glass & Accessory, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, (Bahamas Hot Mix), 100 JAMZ, JCN, Phat Groove E-blast, Island 102.9FM, Left at Third, The Tribune and Cable Bahamas.