BRADENTON -- To say Canaan Meester-Kitterman likes to talk during a run is a bit of an understatement.

The Bradenton Runners Club Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at G.T. Bray park was the perfect example.

With about a half mile to go, the Bayshore sophomore was just a few feet ahead of Sarasota’s Courtland Bernard.

“I give him pointers,” Meester-Kitterman said. “Honestly, I don’t care if he beats me or I beat him. We’re buddies.”

Meester-Kitterman then turned on his jets for the final straightaway to pull away from Bernard.

His time of 16 minutes, 29.27 seconds edged Bernard by two seconds

As soon as Meester-Kitterman crossed the finish line, he turned and gave Bernard a hug.

“We’re literally brothers from a different mother,” he said.