The weather held up as UB's Lhevinne Joseph win the open men's division at the fourth edition of the University of The Bahamas Cross Country Invitational wrapped up at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center grounds on Saturday.

Powered by Simplified Lending, the meet saw 957 total athletes which was the most ever to register in the meet's history.

Joseph powered through to win the men's open division with a time of 8:47.76. It was a quick start for Joseph as he had to chase two competitors but by time the first lap, he and fellow UB runner Jackson Ozias were in a two-man race. Joseph separated himself from Jackson for the first-place finish.

"The guys that went out ahead ran the course last year. The guys who came third came second last year so my mind i am saying he may be in better shape this time. MY goal was to stick with him for as long as i could and whenever I got the opening, I was able to past."

Ozias was second after clocking 9:09.47. Devonta Newbold from T-Bird Flyers was third in 9:21.53. Placing fourth was UB's Devilus Culmer in 9:26.78.

The under-20 boys saw a new champion as C.R. Walker's Gabriel Johnson took care of defending champion Benryco Pierre at the finish line to win that division 8:54.07.

"I had one gameplan and my coach told me to stay close. I know he did not have any speed at the end," Johnson said. "He beat me couple times and this is my first win over him."

T-Bird Flyers' Pierre ran 8:54.60 for the second place. His teammate clocked 9:13.83 to finish third.

Kaden Thurston defended his title in the under-17 boys division after clocking 8:53.92.

"The last lap was pure struggle and heart," Thurston said. "I do what I have to do whatever I have to do to push myself. I kept it nice and smooth.

C.H Reeves' Devonte Crowl won second place in 9:15.33. Hurry Murray's Johnathan Marsh clocked 9:23.79 to place third.