FORMER Bendigo athlete Archie Wallis has blitzed his rivals to win the Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile Easter street race.
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The Scotch College boarder, who regularly competes in Bendigo, scorched the field to win in a slick 4.25.
It was a dual victory for Wallis, who also claimed the honours in the secondary school year 11-12 section.
The race took its toll on Wallis, who was visibly distressed after the presentation ceremony.
Bendigo Harriers young gun Ben Powell was second in both the open men's and year 11-12 sections.
The Bendigo Senior Secondary College student, who excels in sprinting events, said he was stoked with his result.
"I'm a sprinter and I was surprised to even run under five (minutes) today," said Powell, who completed the course along Pall Mall in 5.37.
"Considering last year that I ran 5.06, I was very happy with the time."
Powell has recently returned from Athletics Austraia track and field championships in Sydney, where he finished seventh in the 400m individual and second in the 4x400m relay.
The 16-year-old is a regular in the Dragon Mile and has an incredibly unlucky six second placings.
He left the race venue hopeful, but uncertain whether he would ever break through for a victory.
"I don't know ... it's a pretty good field each year," Powell said.
"(2015-16 winner) Andy Buchanan is over in America at the moment and not running at the moment, and obviously Archie this year.
"It would take a pretty good run from me to win it."
Equally impressive as Wallis was Teleah Hayes, who showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in the open women’s race.
The win was the Elmore athlete and South Bendigo club runner's second straight in the event.
Hayes, who , said the Dragon Mile was a non-miss event for her family.
"We've been coming for years and years and my sisters (Zahra and Yazmin) are into it as well ... it's kind of a family tradition," she said.
"I've been lucky enough to win every year I've competed, except the first one.
"I'm really happy with that run, it's really close to my best time on track, so considering this is on-road I'm really happy."
Hayes finished 15th in her distance event at the national championships.
She missed qualifying for the final by one second, but was happy with her effort.
"It was my first year in open, racing four Olympians and a world champion, so I was just happy to be there," she said.
"I'll train hard and I'm definitely hoping to make the final next year."
Katherine Dowie was second ahead of national triathlete Sophie Hawken.