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BVI Runners Long distance running in the British Virgin Islands |
| 2007 March 3rd Cook out sprints Spenser in Community 5K Series opener on Tortola BY DEAN GREENAWAY TORTOLA—Simon Cook carefully measured his steps, then calculated his kick to surge past race leader Anthony Spenser in the final 250 metes, to win Saturday’s Dasani Community 5K Spring Series opener on Tortola. Cook pulled out the 12-seconds victory with a winning time of 19 minutes and 51 seconds, to Spenser’s 20:03. Julie-Anne Pearson claimed the third spot in 20:34, in the race that began at the Government’s Central Administration Complex and circumnavigated Road Town. Cook said he was a bit shock to see Chris Ghiorse and Spenser pulling away early in the race. “I knew he’d lost quite a bit of weight lately and I thought maybe he’d put in a bit of running training. I think I must have been asleep because he and Tony got a good distance on me on Main Street,” Cook noted. “It wasn’t until we got about halfway through the race I saw Chris and figured he had started to slow down, so I caught up with him and passed him. I could then see Tony in my sight, but he was still a ways away. I picked up my pace, noted he was getting tired and towards the end, I finished him off.” Spenser said he started with wings on his heels and ended with concrete in his shoes, and credited Ghiorse with getting the race off to a fast start. He said since there were several curves on Main Street, he decided to make his move on Ghiorse on one of them. He said he felt good after making his move and thought he could keep it going to the finish. “As I started going up Lower Estate, I began to doubt my tactics slightly, but I stuck with it. By the time I reached to the traffic light, I had a stitch, the legs were on fire and the finish line couldn’t come quick enough,” he explained. “I continued hoping I had enough of a lead, but when I got by Island Video, I looked over and saw Simon behind me, which is something I didn’t want to see. I slowed slightly thinking I’d recover and go with him when he pulled even.” Spenser said that didn’t happen as there was nothing where and his shoes felt like lead while Cook sped off in the distance. “I congratulate him on an excellent paced race. He ran superb,” Spenser noted. “But, I’ll be back next time.” Julie-Anne Pearson said it was a tough race with everyone getting off to a very fast start. “I tried to keep up with Spenser and Cook, but, it was impossible. “They just went flying off,” she noted. “I did my best and tried to keep going then got a stitch on Main Street. It wasn’t very comfortable for the last mile. But, the time was good for me. I’m pleased with it and it’s always good to break the seven minute barrier.” Race coordinator Stephanie Russ Penn said she was excited about the race although only 12 people showed because of the weekend holiday, but the quality of the times was excellent. “It has created a start to what I believe will be a tremendous season, seeing times dropping as more people come out,” she said. “I anticipate the cadre of people will reach into the hundreds when the Olympic Day Run comes in June, competing a fun but competitive arena.” |
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2007 Dasani 5K Series
Reports
Reports
BEEF ISLAND 5K, MARCH 24TH, 2007
Ghiorse upsets Cook to win Community 5K Race on Beef Island
BY DEAN GREENAWAY
TORTOLA—Cyclist Chris Ghiorse won his first running race by pulling out a surprise victory over Simon Cook, who
won last month’s opener of the Dasani Community 5K Series on Tortola.
The race held on Beef Island, saw Ghiorse and Zebalon McLean breaking from the pack before Ghiorse seized a lead
which he never relinquished after the first quarter mile. Ghiorse had a winning time of 19 minutes, 46.68 seconds. Cook
followed in 20:09.04, with McLean placing third in 20:50.99.
“I’m more considered a cyclist, so for me to actually win a running race, I feel very lucky, because I know there are a
couple guys, like Zebalon, who are not in shape right now and Simon is not in the best of running shape because it’s the
beginning of the season,” Ghiorse said. “I kind of got away with taking some strides out of them. The course had slight
inclines and I felt very comfortable because that’s the most similar thing to cycling. On the down hills, I know I didn’t have
the speed and needed to put some distance on Simon and Zebalon.”
Cook said Ghiorse shot off like a sprightly teenager and once he opened some distance it was difficult to catch him. “There’
s quite a bit of inclines all around that course and he used them well,” Cook said. “But, to be fair to him, he has obviously
been doing some training and he was looking young today. He had a youthful head and youthful feet. I obviously have to
go back to the drawing board and do some training.”
Julie-Anne Pearson, the top woman who was fourth overall, said she tried to stay with the leading group as long as she
could. “I managed to overtake Zebalon about halfway through, but about 200 meters before the finish, he sprinted past me
and that was it,” she pointed out. “I’m not very good at setting my own pace so I followed the leaders.”
Race director Stephanie Russ Penn said it was a great race. “The one thing l love about this race is, while people might
quality, they you have a great race and certainly the individuals that are coming out are running really good times. From
the first race to this one, you have people that have already dropped off two minutes off their previous time.”think small
numbers is a bad thing, it’s not always a bad thing,” She said. “When you have small numbers and you have
Ghiorse upsets Cook to win Community 5K Race on Beef Island
BY DEAN GREENAWAY
TORTOLA—Cyclist Chris Ghiorse won his first running race by pulling out a surprise victory over Simon Cook, who
won last month’s opener of the Dasani Community 5K Series on Tortola.
The race held on Beef Island, saw Ghiorse and Zebalon McLean breaking from the pack before Ghiorse seized a lead
which he never relinquished after the first quarter mile. Ghiorse had a winning time of 19 minutes, 46.68 seconds. Cook
followed in 20:09.04, with McLean placing third in 20:50.99.
“I’m more considered a cyclist, so for me to actually win a running race, I feel very lucky, because I know there are a
couple guys, like Zebalon, who are not in shape right now and Simon is not in the best of running shape because it’s the
beginning of the season,” Ghiorse said. “I kind of got away with taking some strides out of them. The course had slight
inclines and I felt very comfortable because that’s the most similar thing to cycling. On the down hills, I know I didn’t have
the speed and needed to put some distance on Simon and Zebalon.”
Cook said Ghiorse shot off like a sprightly teenager and once he opened some distance it was difficult to catch him. “There’
s quite a bit of inclines all around that course and he used them well,” Cook said. “But, to be fair to him, he has obviously
been doing some training and he was looking young today. He had a youthful head and youthful feet. I obviously have to
go back to the drawing board and do some training.”
Julie-Anne Pearson, the top woman who was fourth overall, said she tried to stay with the leading group as long as she
could. “I managed to overtake Zebalon about halfway through, but about 200 meters before the finish, he sprinted past me
and that was it,” she pointed out. “I’m not very good at setting my own pace so I followed the leaders.”
Race director Stephanie Russ Penn said it was a great race. “The one thing l love about this race is, while people might
quality, they you have a great race and certainly the individuals that are coming out are running really good times. From
the first race to this one, you have people that have already dropped off two minutes off their previous time.”think small
numbers is a bad thing, it’s not always a bad thing,” She said. “When you have small numbers and you have
CARROT BAY, APRIL 21, 2007
Chris Ghiorse powers his way to 5K victory in Carrot Bay
BY DEAN GREENAWAY
TORTOLA—There was one comment resonating from participants when they completed
Saturday’s Dasani Community Spring Series 5K race in Carrot Bay—“oh, those hills.”
Cyclist Chris Ghiorse used the hills to his advantage, first shaking off Zebalon McLean on
the way to Capoons Bay, then holding off Julie-Anne Pearson on the way back, to win in
20 minutes, 19.90 seconds. Pearson finished second in 20:33.38, while McLean grabbed
third place in 21:17.90.
“The course was hard, but I felt OK at the start and was surprised to cover the first mile
in six minutes, with the hill on the way out,” Ghiorse said. “But on the way back, I felt
Jules coming up and I was just thankful there were enough hills too keep in front of her
because if it was flatter, I think she would have run me down.”
Pearson said the first mile was fast and she overtook McLean on the way and expected
him to come back and pass her. “I kept looking back and didn’t see him,” she said. “I
practice those hills quite frequently and they were OK, because this is my regular
morning run. But, I couldn’t catch Chris in the end. That last hill I just wanted to walk. I
slowed right down and he got away from me.”
McLean said his initial plan was to stay with Ghiorse. “But the hills and my lack of
conditioning did me in,” he noted. “So far, this course is the most difficult course, with
three up hills to run, two close to the middle and one close to the end, after you have
run almost three miles. However, it’s not as difficult as I’m making it seem,” Mclean
added. “If you take your time, you’ll get through it.”
Archie Christian agreed the course was tough and he knew of the hills going and coming.
“I was expecting to turn back by the Isabella Morris Primary School and coming back, but
then I noticed the arrows continued to turn up into the back of Carrot Bay mentally, said
‘this is it. I’m not going to make it’ but thank God I made it. I was a good course, I
enjoyed it, but the hills killed me.”
A former 100 meter sprinter, Richard de Castro said that’s his limit. “This three miles is
like training,” he noted. “I can only do 100 meters without stopping.”
Race director Stephanie Russ Penn said the races are getting more exciting as they get
closer to the June 23 Olympic Day Run. “For the runners, those three hills today was a
challenge they said that the enjoyed,” Penn noted. “The times were exceptionally good,
considering the terrain. The numbers are increasing and people are coming out and
having a good time.”
Chris Ghiorse powers his way to 5K victory in Carrot Bay
BY DEAN GREENAWAY
TORTOLA—There was one comment resonating from participants when they completed
Saturday’s Dasani Community Spring Series 5K race in Carrot Bay—“oh, those hills.”
Cyclist Chris Ghiorse used the hills to his advantage, first shaking off Zebalon McLean on
the way to Capoons Bay, then holding off Julie-Anne Pearson on the way back, to win in
20 minutes, 19.90 seconds. Pearson finished second in 20:33.38, while McLean grabbed
third place in 21:17.90.
“The course was hard, but I felt OK at the start and was surprised to cover the first mile
in six minutes, with the hill on the way out,” Ghiorse said. “But on the way back, I felt
Jules coming up and I was just thankful there were enough hills too keep in front of her
because if it was flatter, I think she would have run me down.”
Pearson said the first mile was fast and she overtook McLean on the way and expected
him to come back and pass her. “I kept looking back and didn’t see him,” she said. “I
practice those hills quite frequently and they were OK, because this is my regular
morning run. But, I couldn’t catch Chris in the end. That last hill I just wanted to walk. I
slowed right down and he got away from me.”
McLean said his initial plan was to stay with Ghiorse. “But the hills and my lack of
conditioning did me in,” he noted. “So far, this course is the most difficult course, with
three up hills to run, two close to the middle and one close to the end, after you have
run almost three miles. However, it’s not as difficult as I’m making it seem,” Mclean
added. “If you take your time, you’ll get through it.”
Archie Christian agreed the course was tough and he knew of the hills going and coming.
“I was expecting to turn back by the Isabella Morris Primary School and coming back, but
then I noticed the arrows continued to turn up into the back of Carrot Bay mentally, said
‘this is it. I’m not going to make it’ but thank God I made it. I was a good course, I
enjoyed it, but the hills killed me.”
A former 100 meter sprinter, Richard de Castro said that’s his limit. “This three miles is
like training,” he noted. “I can only do 100 meters without stopping.”
Race director Stephanie Russ Penn said the races are getting more exciting as they get
closer to the June 23 Olympic Day Run. “For the runners, those three hills today was a
challenge they said that the enjoyed,” Penn noted. “The times were exceptionally good,
considering the terrain. The numbers are increasing and people are coming out and
having a good time.”
TORTOLA—New comer Steven Asson ended Chris Ghiorse’s winning streak to
become the third different winner Saturday, in the fourth race of the Dasani
Community Spring 5K series.
Asson debuted and took control of the Paraquita Bay Beast course on the H.
Lavity Stoutt Community College campus after the first mile, to easily turn
back Ghiorse, with his winning time of 19 minutes, 47.04 seconds. Ghiorse
followed in 20:42.98 while Simon Cook—who won the first race and missed
the last—settled for third in 20:59.39.
“It wasn’t a bad race but I couldn’t put too much into it, since I did not know
the route and I had to take my time to get to know the route,” Asson
explained. “It’s a good route and a part of it reminded me of cross country,
because I usually run cross country. I took control of the race halfway. For
now, I’m satisfied since I only started training three weeks ago.”
Ghiorse said Asson was the unknown entity in the race which he described as
hard. “I was running on his shoulder and he was running so easy, I could see
I was in for a hard day even if I wanted to stay with him for half the race,”
Ghiorse noted. “Sure enough, when we reached the turnaround on the
downhill after the first mile, he strode away from me like I was not there.”
Ben Maher headed a group of interns from Brock University in Canada. “It
was a little different to back home,” he said. “We don’t have the hills but, it
was a lot of fun.
Karen Natho, also of Canada, was the first woman. She said the heat got
intense towards the end. “The tricky part was the hill in the last kilometer. If
it was in the first kilometer, it would have been alright, but it made my
quadriceps bur,” she explained. “But, it was a good race. I just couldn’t catch
those three guys in front of me. I was trying really hard, but, they just had a
little more legs.”
The race was the final tune up for the June 23 Olympic Day Run. The run this
year marks the 25th anniversary of the BVI Olympic Committee becoming a
member of the International Olympic Committee, paving the way for BVI
athletes to compete in the CAC, Pan American and Olympic Games. The BVI
could participate in the Commonwealth Games without having an Olympic
Committee, but not the other games.
The BVIOC seeks the community’s support in achieving this mild stone. “I
certainly invite the public to come out that day, because it’s going to be a fun
run/walk for the entire BVI,” Stephanie Russ Penn who has been coordinating
the lead up races said. “I encourage families, organizations, schools and
individuals to come out and participate, because it’s going to be a good time.”
The race will start and end at the Central Administration Complex on June 23.
Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the race convening at 7:00 a.m.
OLYMPIC DAY RUN JUNE 21, 2007
Asson won the race that also concluded the Dasani Community Spring Series which
Cook overhauling Jean-Pierre Bacle for third. Cook recorded a time of 19:53.17, while
Bacle ran 19:58.92, as the only runners under 20 minutes.
“The first part of the race was a little tiresome for me, I don’t know what was wrong,” said
Asson who wanted to make his more one and a half miles into the race. “It wasn’t until the
last mile that I was able to make my move. I heard Peters talking about the race and what
he would do. Once I got the lead by the Police station and also some water, that was it.”
Darwn Peters, ninth overall, won the women’s division in 22:17.14. Sally Blackmore
followed in 23:57.81, with Kay Reddy taking third in 24:28.73
The race attracted a diverse group of participants, including Charlie Butler, who pushed
his baby in a stroller and still placed 33rd overall.
BVIOC president Rey O’Neal, said it was one of the best runs they’ve had. “A lot of
participation and it was good to see a lot of the competitive athletes who have been
representing us in junior competitions out this time,” O’Neal said. “It went off without any
hitches as best as I could see. Hopefully, next year, it will be bigger.”
It was the first time in the history of the event in the territory, that five of the 10 sports
making up the BVIOC—athletics, cycling, sailing, football and tennis—combined to put on
the event. Each also fielded participants. “It was really wonderful to see them coming out
to make this day happen, volunteering and having participants,” race coordinator and
BVIOC athletes representative Stephanie Russ Penn said. “We look forward to bigger and
better Olympic Day Runs in the future.”
Asson won the race that also concluded the Dasani Community Spring Series which
Cook overhauling Jean-Pierre Bacle for third. Cook recorded a time of 19:53.17, while
Bacle ran 19:58.92, as the only runners under 20 minutes.
“The first part of the race was a little tiresome for me, I don’t know what was wrong,” said
Asson who wanted to make his more one and a half miles into the race. “It wasn’t until the
last mile that I was able to make my move. I heard Peters talking about the race and what
he would do. Once I got the lead by the Police station and also some water, that was it.”
Darwn Peters, ninth overall, won the women’s division in 22:17.14. Sally Blackmore
followed in 23:57.81, with Kay Reddy taking third in 24:28.73
The race attracted a diverse group of participants, including Charlie Butler, who pushed
his baby in a stroller and still placed 33rd overall.
BVIOC president Rey O’Neal, said it was one of the best runs they’ve had. “A lot of
participation and it was good to see a lot of the competitive athletes who have been
representing us in junior competitions out this time,” O’Neal said. “It went off without any
hitches as best as I could see. Hopefully, next year, it will be bigger.”
It was the first time in the history of the event in the territory, that five of the 10 sports
making up the BVIOC—athletics, cycling, sailing, football and tennis—combined to put on
the event. Each also fielded participants. “It was really wonderful to see them coming out
to make this day happen, volunteering and having participants,” race coordinator and
BVIOC athletes representative Stephanie Russ Penn said. “We look forward to bigger and
better Olympic Day Runs in the future.”
2008 TICO 5K SERIES AND OLYMPIC DAY
RUN REPORTS
RUN REPORTS
OLYMPIC DAY RUN - JUNE 21, 2008
By DEAN "The Sportsman" GREENAWAY
Olympic Day Runs held simultaneously on Tortola and Virgin Gorda on
Saturday, attracted 57 participants at both venues, with Rasalula Nagarit
and Timon Robinson who led the way during lead up runs, winning the
respective races. Tortola's race attracted 36 while 21 showed on Virgin
Gorda.
Nagarit completed the Tortola course in 17 minutes 08.21 seconds, with
Steven Asson following in 17:45.03 and Alliston Blyden recording a time
of 19:46.04.
"It was fairly well attended, perhaps not as much as last year, but the
performances were good," noted BVI Olympic Committee president Rey
O'Neal. "There were three very competitive finishes and that's what we
like to see."
Event coordinator Stephanie Russ Penn said it was a great day. "It's
always good to see the people come out and participate in events like
these," she said. "We were able to get the 5K series done-although we
only had three races-but, next year we are hoping to have five or six
races before the Olympic Day Run. We are asking the public to look
forward to those races, as well as a continued relationship with the
Olympic Day Run. I thank everyone for their continued support and all
the people who stepped up to ensure that these events happen and I
look forward to a greater and even more exciting series next year."
Belinda Boyd was a surprised women's winner. "I haven't been running
much so I thought I'd go in it for the fun," she said. "The event was
nicely organized and it was great fun."
The BVI Olympic Committee organized event-in conjunction with the
Dept. of Youth Affairs and Sports, Blenheim Trust and TICO-also had
assistance from BVIOC members Softball, Athletics, Cycling, Squash,
Football and Tennis.
"There was great competition at the front," noted Kay Reddy who was
instrumental in getting the lead up series off along with Penn.
"Everybody was wearing their Olympic Day Run T-shirts, it was an
absolutely stunning race today."
The race attracted a variety of participants including young and former
athletes, athletes and a father-daughter duo.
Gloria Fahie who coordinated the event on Virgin Gorda, said they had a
better turnout than in the three lead up races. "Not the turnout we were
hoping for, but then again, it's a matter of consistency," she pointed
out. "We have the Olympic Day Run once a year, the College series once
a year and after that, we don't really have any road races. We are
hoping to continue with the road races to keep everybody interested
because we have quite a number of long distance runners who we want
to train."
Timon Robinson had a winning time of 17:36.23, with Ebony Fahie as
the top female participant in 23:49.00.
By DEAN "The Sportsman" GREENAWAY
Olympic Day Runs held simultaneously on Tortola and Virgin Gorda on
Saturday, attracted 57 participants at both venues, with Rasalula Nagarit
and Timon Robinson who led the way during lead up runs, winning the
respective races. Tortola's race attracted 36 while 21 showed on Virgin
Gorda.
Nagarit completed the Tortola course in 17 minutes 08.21 seconds, with
Steven Asson following in 17:45.03 and Alliston Blyden recording a time
of 19:46.04.
"It was fairly well attended, perhaps not as much as last year, but the
performances were good," noted BVI Olympic Committee president Rey
O'Neal. "There were three very competitive finishes and that's what we
like to see."
Event coordinator Stephanie Russ Penn said it was a great day. "It's
always good to see the people come out and participate in events like
these," she said. "We were able to get the 5K series done-although we
only had three races-but, next year we are hoping to have five or six
races before the Olympic Day Run. We are asking the public to look
forward to those races, as well as a continued relationship with the
Olympic Day Run. I thank everyone for their continued support and all
the people who stepped up to ensure that these events happen and I
look forward to a greater and even more exciting series next year."
Belinda Boyd was a surprised women's winner. "I haven't been running
much so I thought I'd go in it for the fun," she said. "The event was
nicely organized and it was great fun."
The BVI Olympic Committee organized event-in conjunction with the
Dept. of Youth Affairs and Sports, Blenheim Trust and TICO-also had
assistance from BVIOC members Softball, Athletics, Cycling, Squash,
Football and Tennis.
"There was great competition at the front," noted Kay Reddy who was
instrumental in getting the lead up series off along with Penn.
"Everybody was wearing their Olympic Day Run T-shirts, it was an
absolutely stunning race today."
The race attracted a variety of participants including young and former
athletes, athletes and a father-daughter duo.
Gloria Fahie who coordinated the event on Virgin Gorda, said they had a
better turnout than in the three lead up races. "Not the turnout we were
hoping for, but then again, it's a matter of consistency," she pointed
out. "We have the Olympic Day Run once a year, the College series once
a year and after that, we don't really have any road races. We are
hoping to continue with the road races to keep everybody interested
because we have quite a number of long distance runners who we want
to train."
Timon Robinson had a winning time of 17:36.23, with Ebony Fahie as
the top female participant in 23:49.00.
PARAQUITA BEAST - JUNE 7, 2008
By Kay Reddy
Dean “Sportsman” Greenaway was the first to attack the beast, with a
machete, during a midweek training run which cleared the trail and gave
several contenders the opportunity to test out the grassy and
circuitous route setting the showdown for the second race in the TICO
5k series.
The beast lived up to its name, mainly due to the number of mini
battles as competitors pushed their heard rates up the hills and
lengthened stride down. Giants of running Rasalula Nagarit and
Steven Asson flew round the college course, completing the 2 mle loop
while many were still ½ mile out. Up coming youth runners Alliston
Blyden and Khiry Creque battled with Ian Mann for third place, with
Teymahl Huggins, Richard Francis, Jamiel St Rose and Neville
Sorrentino ducking it just behind. Joseph Smith maintained an
incredible steady pace matched stride by stride over 3 miles by Richard
White. Richard used the short steep downhill from the beast to open
up a narrow but unassailable lead. Howard, Ravindra, Archie (our sole
and leading Rotarian) and Ezra kept up the pace with all the men
finishing in a fast sub 10 min mile pace.
The ladies took a more serene approach. Darwyn cruised easily at the
front with the trailing ladies desperately trying to find some ipod heavy
metal to carry then up the first mile incline. For most this was the first
time on the course, (we go up where!), however the ladies all pulled in
fast times with no walkers. 14 tear old Jamilah Smith continues to
impress beating her opening run by over a minute and surely a junior
champ contender for the Olympic Day run.
Thanks to the Greenaways, Stephanie Penn, Zebalon McLean. Penny
Compton, John Lewis and helpers for a fun and fast run. Sportsman
kindly e-mailed his famous pictures to every participant which will surely
be keepsakes. Did we tame the beast? It was certainly taken on and
challenged
By Kay Reddy
Dean “Sportsman” Greenaway was the first to attack the beast, with a
machete, during a midweek training run which cleared the trail and gave
several contenders the opportunity to test out the grassy and
circuitous route setting the showdown for the second race in the TICO
5k series.
The beast lived up to its name, mainly due to the number of mini
battles as competitors pushed their heard rates up the hills and
lengthened stride down. Giants of running Rasalula Nagarit and
Steven Asson flew round the college course, completing the 2 mle loop
while many were still ½ mile out. Up coming youth runners Alliston
Blyden and Khiry Creque battled with Ian Mann for third place, with
Teymahl Huggins, Richard Francis, Jamiel St Rose and Neville
Sorrentino ducking it just behind. Joseph Smith maintained an
incredible steady pace matched stride by stride over 3 miles by Richard
White. Richard used the short steep downhill from the beast to open
up a narrow but unassailable lead. Howard, Ravindra, Archie (our sole
and leading Rotarian) and Ezra kept up the pace with all the men
finishing in a fast sub 10 min mile pace.
The ladies took a more serene approach. Darwyn cruised easily at the
front with the trailing ladies desperately trying to find some ipod heavy
metal to carry then up the first mile incline. For most this was the first
time on the course, (we go up where!), however the ladies all pulled in
fast times with no walkers. 14 tear old Jamilah Smith continues to
impress beating her opening run by over a minute and surely a junior
champ contender for the Olympic Day run.
Thanks to the Greenaways, Stephanie Penn, Zebalon McLean. Penny
Compton, John Lewis and helpers for a fun and fast run. Sportsman
kindly e-mailed his famous pictures to every participant which will surely
be keepsakes. Did we tame the beast? It was certainly taken on and
challenged
CITY CIRCUIT 5K SERIES OPENER - MAY 26, 2008
By DEAN GREENAWAY
Some 20 runners faced the starter’s gun early Saturday morning in
the TICO 5K Series that kicked off warm up races leading up to the
June 21, Olympic Day Run.
New comer Rasalula Nagarit broke away from Steven Asson and Allison
Blyden by Peebles Hospital, then went on to a one minute victory over
Asson to end his winning streak in the first road race of the spring.
Nagarit covered the 3.1 mile circumnavigation of Road Town that
began and ended on the Mondo track at the A. O. Shirley Recreation
Grounds, in 17 minutes and 31.94 seconds.
Asson followed in 18:34.86, with Blyden taking the third spot in 20:
38.41, in the race that attracted 20 participants.
Clare-Louise Whiley won the women's division in 22:50.42. Darwn
Peters and Kay Reddy followed in 24:21.83 and 24.37.72 respectively.
"This race was a good build up to running a marathon, because it was
all about raw temp speed," said Naragit. "The course was good. It was
a new experience for me."
Asson said he tried to keep up with Nagarit, but because of back
pains, he couldn't. "The harder I ran the more I felt the pain," he said.
"But, the race wasn't too bad. With the pain and the time I ran, I felt I
did quite good. If I was running alone, I would have ran slower than
that, but he was my target and I used him to pull me over."
Whiley who was happy with her performance said she like turnout and
it's a sign of things to come. "I ran with some lads and we were all
pushing it and it was great camaraderie," she noted. "I didn't quite
know the route, it was like 'right, left' but we got there. It was
excellent and I'm really pleased. I also thought the course was good
one and you just have to remember where you're going. It's a good
course to do a nice run and a perfect time to do it."
Peters said Whiley kept a great pace and pushed it through the incline
in Lower Estate. "She did really well," Peters noted. "My training is just
coming around, slowly but surely."
Reddy placed third in a sprint finish with Howard Moore. "This is a
great course for a 5K," she declared afterwards. "It's a little bit of a
challenge in the Lower Estate area, then it's a nice finish down to the
Mondo track. It's a beautiful course for the Olympic Day Run. Anybody
in Tortola can run that course."
By DEAN GREENAWAY
Some 20 runners faced the starter’s gun early Saturday morning in
the TICO 5K Series that kicked off warm up races leading up to the
June 21, Olympic Day Run.
New comer Rasalula Nagarit broke away from Steven Asson and Allison
Blyden by Peebles Hospital, then went on to a one minute victory over
Asson to end his winning streak in the first road race of the spring.
Nagarit covered the 3.1 mile circumnavigation of Road Town that
began and ended on the Mondo track at the A. O. Shirley Recreation
Grounds, in 17 minutes and 31.94 seconds.
Asson followed in 18:34.86, with Blyden taking the third spot in 20:
38.41, in the race that attracted 20 participants.
Clare-Louise Whiley won the women's division in 22:50.42. Darwn
Peters and Kay Reddy followed in 24:21.83 and 24.37.72 respectively.
"This race was a good build up to running a marathon, because it was
all about raw temp speed," said Naragit. "The course was good. It was
a new experience for me."
Asson said he tried to keep up with Nagarit, but because of back
pains, he couldn't. "The harder I ran the more I felt the pain," he said.
"But, the race wasn't too bad. With the pain and the time I ran, I felt I
did quite good. If I was running alone, I would have ran slower than
that, but he was my target and I used him to pull me over."
Whiley who was happy with her performance said she like turnout and
it's a sign of things to come. "I ran with some lads and we were all
pushing it and it was great camaraderie," she noted. "I didn't quite
know the route, it was like 'right, left' but we got there. It was
excellent and I'm really pleased. I also thought the course was good
one and you just have to remember where you're going. It's a good
course to do a nice run and a perfect time to do it."
Peters said Whiley kept a great pace and pushed it through the incline
in Lower Estate. "She did really well," Peters noted. "My training is just
coming around, slowly but surely."
Reddy placed third in a sprint finish with Howard Moore. "This is a
great course for a 5K," she declared afterwards. "It's a little bit of a
challenge in the Lower Estate area, then it's a nice finish down to the
Mondo track. It's a beautiful course for the Olympic Day Run. Anybody
in Tortola can run that course."
Timon Robinson led 17 runners (seven finishers) who entered
Saturday's final pre-Olympic Day Run on Virgin Gorda to the line in 19
minutes and 04.08 seconds, on a tough hilly course that concluded
three races preceding Saturday's Olympic Day Run that will be held
simultaneously on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, starting at 7 a.m.
Shevon Anthony followed Robinson on the route from Speedy's Corner
to Savannah Bay and return, completing the loop in 20:34.50, with
Shaka Fahie placing third in 22:56.03 and Shem Stay turning in a time of
24:08.00 among the men.
Ebony Fahie was the top female with a time of 27:02.00. She was
followed by Christine Yates in 29:27.00 and Lydia Plough's 31:04.53.
Event coordinator Gloria Fahie said while 17 started the hill was a
challenge for some who ended up walking part of the course.
"We expect to have a good turnout this weekend on Virgin Gorda for
the Olympic Day Run," Fahie said. "After these two warm up races,
suggestions have come that we should do more of these events on a
regular basis.". Saturday's race on Virgin Gorda race will be held in The
Valley and starts at 7 a.m. from the Enid Pickering Building looping out
to the Bregado Flax Educational Center and return.
Event coordinator Stephanie Russ Penn said having runs on Tortola and
Virgin Gorda is something that has happened before and she's happy to
see the spirit of Olympism spreading to the outer islands. "I'm looking
forward to seeing a big turnout in both locations," she said. "Hopefully in
the future, we'll be able to have it done in more places in the territory."