By BVIAA

South paw Kevin Vanterpool and Heptathlete Arianna Hayde, fired the Javelin to huge personal bests, climbing to #3 and #2 respectively on the territory’s All Time Men and Women’s Lists, during Friday evening’s fourth BVI Athletics Association Development Series meet, held at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

Vanterpool, who cracked the 50m barrier for the first time in his career with a heave of 50.15m on his second attempt following a 49.28 opener, rifled the spear out to 52.94m (178’8 ¾”) in round four. He’s the second Jr. to ever penetrate the 50m barrier and third overall with the 800g implement.

Then, soon to be 15 year old Hayde—the 2014 Youth Female Athlete of the Year presented by Sol—uncorked a throw of 34.05m with the 600g rod, to fly into the second spot on the All Time List—just the third athlete to ever heave the spear past the 30m barrier.

On the track, Kyron McMaster who moved to the U20 Boys class this year, opened with his fastest 400m ever, when he stopped the clock at 48.75 seconds. McMaster was a 2014 Carifta Games U18 Boys 400m Hurdles bronze medalist and qualified for both the IAAF World Jr. Championships and Youth Olympic Games. He was the 2014 Jr. Male Athlete of the Year. He pulled his Fast Lane Track Club teammate Ronique Todman to a 50.13 personal best.

In her first race since placing sixth in last year’s Youth Olympic Games, Nelda Huggins—the 2014 Jr. Female Athlete of the Year—opened her 2015 campaign with a time of 12.09 seconds in the 100m. Huggins who has won a Carifta Games 100m medal every year since 2011 and last year broke a tie with Keita Cline and Chantel Malone to become the territory’s most prolific Carifta Games medalist with seven, moves to the U20 division this season.

Judine Lacey won a spirited U18 Girls 400m battle, passing a fading Zacharia Frett three meters before the line to win in 58.85 seconds. Frett was second in 59.00 while short sprinter L’Tisha Fahie—working on her speed endurance—finished third in 59.27.

National Records fall in Arizona

Competing at the Pima Aztec Indoor Invitational in Arizona, Tynelle Gumbs and Eldred Henry improved on their two weeks old Weight Throw National Records. Gumbs extended her mark of 17.55m with a heave of 18.14 on her final attempt. Her series included measurements of 17.54, 17.53 and 17.62 amid two fouls.

Her twin sister Trevia was fourth after a third round effort of 14.50m. Trevia won the Shot Put with a third round throw of 13.79m with Tynelle placing second in 11.80.

Henry had only one legal throw on his second attempt two win the Shot Put competition with a mark of 17.89m, then improved his Weight Throw best from 16.32m with a winning twirl of 16.38.

At the Eastern Tennessee State University Buccaneers Invitational, St. Augustine University sophomore Khari Herbert finished third in the 400m in 48.88 seconds, after running 49.53 in his prelims to advance. He contributed a second leg carry on his team’s 4x400m relay that finished second in 3:13.28.

In College Station, Tex., after shaving 0.02 off her 60m best from last week with a fifth placed time of 7.54 seconds in the 60m dash, Taylor Hill chopped her 200m indoor personal best from 25.22 seconds to 24.70 to finish second in her heat and sixth overall. She joined Ashley Kelly, 24.12 and Karene King, 24.42 as the third BVI athletes under 25.00 indoors this season.

Competing in the New Balance Boston Grand Prix, Kelly was fourth in the 300m recording a time of 38.24 seconds.

Veteran Tahesia Harrigan-Scott—in the penultimate stop of her European tour in Mondeville, France—was fifth in the 60m finals in 7.34 seconds, after running 7.38 in the semis.

Cary High School Sr. Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner ran 58.91 seconds and finished sixth in the 400m at the David Oliver Indoor Classic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She used a second leg carry and helped her 4x 200m relay squad to a second place finish in 1:41.63

Sr. Jonel Lacey, competing for Holmwood High School at the Youngster Goldsmith Classic in Jamaica, made her 400m Intermediate Hurdles debut with a time of one minute 02.61 seconds—the #2 mark on the All Time List—to place third. She was fifth in her 400m heat in 57.52.

By  BVIAA

Competing against two 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships 60m finalist in what turned out to be the fastest race in the world so far this season, sprinter Taylor Hill—two days shy of her 19th birthday—used a personal best to become the fourth British Virgin Islands female athlete to run under 7.60 seconds this season.

Hill, running in Houston, Tex. in the Howie Ryan Invitational and Multis, was sixth in the 60m final in 7.56 seconds, 0.01 behind Ashley Kelly’s 7.55 from two weeks ago for the third fastest time by a BVI athlete over 60m this season. Karene King also ran 7.59. Hill advanced to the final after running 7.64.

Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure, a 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships 60m silver medalist and a 2013 IAAF World Outdoor Championships double silver medalist in the 100 and 200m, won the race in a world leading 7.08 seconds. Ahoure was followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle Lee Ahye—also a 2014 World Indoor finalist—in 7.16.

Hill followed up with another personal best in the 200m when she stopped the clock at 25.21 seconds, lowering her indoor best from 25.89.

The weekend began with veteran Tahesia Harrigan-Scott kicking off her European tour with two stops in Germany. She began the tour with a sixth placed time of 7.30 seconds in the 60m final in Dusseldorf, after a 7.35 semi. On Saturday in Karlsruhe, she said she was ‘caught sleeping in the blocks’ when she ran 7.34 seconds in the prelims followed by 7.35 in the final to finish seventh. Her tour continues with one meet in Poland and two in France.

St. Augustine University sophomore Khari Herbert, won his 400m heat in the Hilton Garden Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was second overall with a time of 49.25 seconds on Friday. He placed third in his 200m heat in 22.77, good for eight overall on Saturday morning.Herbert contributed a second leg carry to his team’s 4x400m Relay that placed third in 3:15.82.

Also in North Carolina, Cary High School Sr. Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner qualified for the State 4A Indoor Championships after placing fourth in her 500m heat and fifth overall in 1:20.46.

In Jamaica, returning to the form she displayed as a 16 year old, Jonel Lacey was third in the 400m in 57.6 seconds then followed up with a 56.3 seconds carry on the 4x400m Relay.

By BVIAA

When the Dive BVI 5K Series kicked off the British Virgin Islands 2015 road racing season in Virgin Gorda on Saturday, defending women’s champion Kathleen Brownsdon found herself in an unusual place—being challenged.

The Virgin Gorda resident found herself in a ferocious battle with 13-year old Tallulah Kinkead before securing the victory in 21 minutes and 34 seconds with Kinkead placing second in 21:49.

“My daughter warned me before the race that she got nominated for Female Road Racer of the Year,” Brownsdon recalled of Kinkead. “And then she passed me one time and I was like ahhh..but then we had the downhill and my legs are a little bit longer and I was able to pass her again. Then she passed me almost at the end. I was like, I can’t let this happen yet, but by the end of the season, she’ll be beating me probably.”

Kinkead, in her Virgin Gorda debut, said the course was easy and she really liked it. “I hadn’t seen about half of the runners before,” she stated. “It pushed me a little.”

Kinkead has her eyes on being among the top runners at the end of 2015. “I have one person that I’m still trying to chase,” she said. “That’s Kat(rina) Crumpler.”

Veteran Virgin Gorda resident Emrol Amsterdam was the overall winner in 20:44. Following Amsterdam were Zebalon McLean and Mervin Dainty, in 20:58 and 21:02 respectively.

Amsterdam, who began training recently said having the runners coming over from Tortola makes the race competitive.

“I expect to do a better time in the next race,” he said, noting that he has to train. “There’s a guy here that beat me a couple years ago, Dainty from Virgin Gorda, and when those guys come out it tells me I have to train harder. It can’t pay for those guys just to come out their bed and beat you man. Because of my age, I have to keep training hard to keep them guys off.”

Participants contributed $150 in donations towards the Virgin Gorda Animal Rescue and Kontrol (ARK). The next race is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Feb 7. Registration begins at 6:10.

Final results

Men:-1. Emrol Amsterdam 20 minutes and 44 seconds. 2. Zebalon McLean 20:58. 3. Mervin Dainty, 21:02. 4. Jeffrey Fowler, 21.15. 5. Ravi Sukhu, 21.23. 6. Curwin Andrews, 21.24. 7. David Kinkead, 21:58. 8. Ezron Simmons, 22:32. 9. Keith Williams, 22:45. 10. Charles Kerins, 22:58. 11. Marlon Felix, 23:17, 12. Pablo Olarte 25:30, 13. Jermain Abrams 25:37, 14. Alex Holliday 26:39, 15. Wilbert “Sampi” Samuel, 30.33. 16.Steph en Beard, 30:45. 17. Keny Jones, 31:45.18. Scott Butz, 32:13. 19. Mel Wicks, 34:07. 20. Indi Abrams, 35:39. 21. Zoltan Birinyi, 36:43. 22. Perez St. Helene, 47:25.

Women: 1. Kathleen Brownsdon, 21:34. 2. Tallulah Kinkead, 21:49. 3. Oniasih Ni Made, 23:54. 4. Anna Kinkead, 25:49. 5. Rhiannon Jones, 26:08. 6. Berenice Garcia, 26:29. 7. Casey McNutt, 26:51. 8. Philomena Robertson, 27:35. 9. Dalores Bagot, 28:01. 10. Kim Berardine, 29:33. 11. Roslyn Gilbert, 31:09. 12. Andrea “AJ” Syrett, 31:11. 13. Ghislaine Hoogendijk, 31:16. 14. Clair Burke, 31:21. 15. Becca Knight, 31:34. 16. Kristen Collins, 33:25. 17. Tara Murphy, 33:25. 18. Annette Wicks, 35:56. 19. Lisa Redfern, 36:30. 20. Linda Giersing, 38:42. 21. Chris Yates, 39:31. 22. Chloe King, 42:26. 22. Sarah Van Name, 42:26. 22. Beth Besom, 42:26. 25. Liz Tapley, 47:25. 26. Betty Biancardi, 49:57. 26. Lynne Hawkins, 49:57.

By BVIAA

Chantel Malone repeated as the British Virgin Islands Sr. Female Athlete of the Year, when the 2014 awards were presented by Sol on Saturday evening at The Moorings’ Mariner Inn, during the BVI Athletics Association 6th Athletes Awards Gala.

Malone who was honored by the BVI Government a week earlier after winning the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games Long Jump gold medal on November 25, and was fourth during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland over the summer, won the award for the third time since 2011. She also won the Jr. Award during its inaugural year in 2009 and repeated in 2010 before moving to the senior ranks.

She was ranked #55 in the world in the Long Jump after leaping 6.55m in the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s very uplifting to have these kind of events because we don’t want our work to go unnoticed and I feel it gives the athletes something to look forward to at the end of the year,” Malone said. “By having this event, it’s a boost for them because they want to be Athlete of the Year, they want to be the top in their class and so they work hard towards achieving the plaque.”

Eldred Henry, who became the first athlete in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region to throw the Discus over the 200ft mark with his toss or 61.90m and became the territory’s third collegian to win an individual National Jr. College title, collected his successive senior honor. Henry’s Discus mark has him ranked at #75 in the world in 2014.

Sprinter Nelda Huggins who established National Jr. Records in the 100 and 200m with marks of 11.59 seconds and 23.91 while qualifying for the IAAF World Jr. Championships before placing sixth in the Youth Olympic Games 100m, also repeated as Jr. Female Athlete of the Year. She was the Youth Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

Kyron McMaster who took up the 400m Intermediate Hurdles in January after a breakout year in the open 400m in 2013, then struck Carifta Games bronze in just his third race, was the Male Jr. Athlete of the Year. McMaster established a National Jr. Record in the 400m Hurdles when he ran 53.26 seconds and qualified for the IAAF World Jr. Championships and also competed in the Youth Olympic Games.

Youth Female Athlete of the Year honors went to Arianna Hayde who tackled the Heptathlon and established a National Jr. Record when she scored 3769 points in placing seventh at the Carifta Games debuting in the multi event.

Djimon Gumbs won the Youth Male Athlete of the Year award. He had the top marks in both the Shot Put and Discus Throws and joined his sister Trevia who won the 2012 Jr. Female award becoming the third brother-sister combo to pull off the feat. Koen and Kala Penn and Tarique and Tarika “Tinker Bell” Moses are the other siblings to achieve the feat.

The Road Racing Athletes of the Year saw the closest battles as well. Ravi Sukhu and Curvin Andrews were the male recipients and Rosmond Johnson and NiMade Oniashi were the female winners.

North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Confederation (NACAC) President, Victor Lopez praised the BVI Athletics Association for holding a gala in honor of its outstanding athletes.

“I wish every NACAC area association would have one of these events,” Lopez said. “Nowadays, it’s very important for our young kids to be recognized and be honored because they have too many distractions such as entertainment and other activities that they could devote themselves to. An event like this is a reward for the young athletes and the senior athletes for the work they have been doing throughout the whole year.”

Lopez who coached for 26 years at Rice University where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame and the Victor Lopez Classic is held annually in his honor, said track and field is a lot of sacrifice with long hours throughout the year.

“Events like the gala and other events where they recognize outstanding achievements like they had for Chantel Malone last week after she won the CAC Games Long Jump gold medal, is an important event,” he noted. “The kids like to be recognized and honored and it gives them a chance to be together—from age group through seniors—and it inspires the young ones to become like the seniors. Parents also appreciate it very much because of the sacrifice they too make in supporting their kids.”

Athletes of the Year presented by Sol

2014 BVI Athletics Association Youth Male Athlete of the Year—Djimon Gumbs

2014 BVI Athletics Association Youth Female Athlete of the Year—Arianna Hayde

2014 BVI Athletics Association Jr. Male Athlete of the Year –Kryon McMaster

2014 BVI Athletics Association Jr. Female Athlete of the Year—Nelda Huggins

2014 BVI Athletics Association Sr. Male Athlete of the Year—Eldred Henry

2014 BVI Athletics Association Sr. Female Athlete of the Year—Chantel Malone

Most Outstanding Athletes Awards by Divisions

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Female Athlete—Trevia Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete—Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Track Athlete—Shaquoy Stephens

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Track Athlete— Tahesia Harrigan-Scott

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Field Athlete—Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete—Chantel Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Track Athlete— Khari Herbert

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Track Athlete—Taylor Hill

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Field Athlete—Kevin Vanterpool

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Field Athlete—Tynelle Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Track Athlete—Kyron McMaster

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Track Athlete—Nelda Huggins

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Field Athlete—Akeem Bradshaw

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Field Athlete—Dekoya Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Track Athlete— Jelani Norman

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Track Athlete—Beyonce DeFreitas

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Field Athlete—Djimon Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Field Athlete—Arianna Hayde

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 13 Field Athlete—Koen Penn

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 13 Field Athlete— Xiomara Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-13 Track Athlete—J’Quaan Smith

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-13 Track Athlete—Zara Brown

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-11 Track Athlete—Kyron Walwyn

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-11 Track Athlete—Izariah Frett

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete—Kyron Walwyn & Stephen Emmanuel

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete—Izariah Frett

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete—Asia McMaster

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Track Athlete— Adaejah Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete—Jobari Pembeton

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete—Kahleem Lettsome

2014 Premier Dental Collegiate Athlete of the Year—Eldred Henry

2014 College Classic Series Overall Male Co-Champions Khiry Creque & Tarique Moses

2014 College Classic Series Overall Female Champion Katrina Crumpler

2014 Most Improved Female Athletes—Deya Erickson, 100m Hurdles and Shaniyah Caul, 400m

2014 Most Improved Male Athlete—Kyron McMaster, 400m Hurdles

Coach of the Year—The Coaches of Top Notch Track Club

2014 Male Road Race Athlete of the Year—Co-champs Ravindra Sukhu and Curwin Andrews

2014 Female Road Race Athlete of the Year—Co-champs Rosmond Johnson and NiMade Oniash

2014 Colonial Insurance Comeback Athletes of the Year-Kiara Huggins

2014 BVI Athletics Association Officials Awards—Muriel Penn, Dezarre Woodley and Steve George

2014 BVI Athletics Association Lifetime Achievement Awards—Gordon Calendar and Claudius “Claudie” Smith.

 

By: BVIAA

Following the second longest season in its history that ended on November 28, the BVI Athletics Association is gearing up for its 6th Athletes Awards Gala, where its partner Sol will dole out the 2014 Athletes of the Year Awards in Youth, Junior and Senior divisions.

On the heels of a competitive and successful season, there has been a record 23 athletes nominated for the awards by Sol in all six divisions.

The forthcoming event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 27 at the Moorings. Donation is $50 single and $85 per couple.

Sol will also dole out awards to athletes who have established a National Records that stood at season’s end. Records began tumbling on January 15 and ended on May 18.

In all, there were 13 National Records established including 12 individual marks during the season. A record was also established in the Jr. Girls 4x100m Relay.

During the evening, the Most Outstanding Athletes Awards from U9 through the Open Divisions in track events, field events and combined events will be presented as well as the Most Improved Athlete, and the Comeback Athlete of the Year.

The Coach of the Year will also be named. Awards for Road Racing will also be presented and two early contributors to the development of the organization will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Following are the respective nominees in the different divisions:

Athletes of The Year Nominees presented by Sol

2014 Youth Male Athlete of the Year—Stephen Emmanuel, Kyron Walwyn, Jelani Norman, Djimon Gumbs

2014 Youth Female Athlete of the Year—Beyonce DeFreitas, Arianna Hayde, Zara Brown, Xiomara Malone, Izariah Frett, Zacharia Frett

2014 Jr. Male Athlete of the Year –Kryon McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw, Kadeon Potter

2014 Jr. Female Athlete of the Year—Trevia Gumbs, Tynelle Gumbs, Nelda Huggins

2014 Sr. Male Athlete of the Year—Eldred Henry, Keron Stoute, Shaquoy Stephens

2014 Sr. Female Athlete of the Year—Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Karene King, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malone

 

Most Outstanding Track & Field Performances Nominees

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Female Athlete—Kala Penn, Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs, Arianna Hayde

2014 Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete—Keron Stoute, Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Track Athlete—Shaquoy Stephens

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Track Athlete—Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Ashley Kelly

2014 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Field Athlete—Keron Stoute, Eldred Henry

2014 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete—Chantel Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Track Athlete— Khari Herbert, Tarique Moses, Ryan Joseph

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Track Athlete—Taylor Hill

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Field Athlete—Kevin Vanterpool, Aundre Turnbull

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Field Athlete—Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Track Athlete— Ronique Todman, Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Track Athlete— Deya Erickson, Nelda Huggins, L’Tsha Fahie, Shaniah Caul,

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Field Athlete— Tahj Malone, Akeem Bradshaw, Kadeon Potter, Dylan Moses,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Field Athlete—Kala Penn, Ashley Penn, Dekoya Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Track Athlete— Joshua Hill, Jelani Norman, Diamante Gumbs, Mikkel Bassue Leshawn Lindo,

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Track Athlete— Zakharia Frett, Arianna Hayde, Beyonce DeFreitas, Akada Charles

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Field Athlete—Diamante Gumbs, Jelani Norman, Rakeel Jack, Djimon Gumbs

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Field Athlete—Esmerelda Paul, Arianna Hayde, Myka Walwyn

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 13 Field Athlete—J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 13 Field Athlete— Dominique Moses, Chassidy George, Xiomara Malone

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-13 Track Athlete— Jaleel Croal, J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn, Wanyae Bell

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-13 Track Athlete—Xiomara Malone, Zara Brown, Alisha Hayde, D’Neigh Williams, Tashira Edwards

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under-11 Track Athlete—Sh’ael Lavacia, Kybah Dawson, Kyron Walwyn, Zachariah Jackson

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under-11 Track Athlete—Akeela McMaster, Izariah Frett, Ariyah Smith, Abriel Maglorie

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete— Sh’ael Lavacia, Kyron Walwyn, Kybah Dawson, Stephen Emmanuel

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete—Izariah Frett, Kaelyah Liburd, Ariyah Smith, Akeela McMaster

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete—Asia McMaster, Kala Bratwaithe

2014 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Track Athlete— Chidinma Emlander, Asia McMaster, Kala Bratwaithe, Adaejah Hodge

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete—Jobari Pembeton K’Shawn Martin, Kahleem Lettsome

2014 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete— Sean Samuel, Kahleem Lettsome, Johari Lacey,

 

Collegiate Performer of the Year nominees

Keron Stoute, Garnett Vanterpool, Eldred Henry

 

Road Race Series Athletes of the Year nominees:

Men: Curvin Andrews, Ravi Sukhu, Julius Farley

Women: Rosmond Johnson, NiMade Oniashi, Tullalah Kinkead, Katrina Crumpler

 

College Race Series Cross Country Awards

Open Men & Open Women— Khiry Creque and Tarique “Tweety” Moses-Katrina Crumpler

 

Most improved Athletes nominees

Men—Kadeon Potter, Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw

Women—Deya Erickson, Dekoya Hodge, Arianna Hayde

 

Colonial Comeback Athlete of the Year—Kiara Huggins

By BVIAA

St. Thomas’ Shane DeGannes became the first 3-peat winner in the nine-year history of the Deloitte-Ogier BVI Sunrise Half Marathon on Saturday.

His counterpart Ruth Ann David who was trying to accomplish the same feat, inadvertently missed the ferry and was unable to defend her title in a race won by Katrina Crumpler.

As in the past, DeGannes ran unchallenged, leading from start to finish for an eight minute victory over Guy Williamson, navigating the looped winding course on Tortola’s south coast in 1 hour 21 minutes and 18 seconds—the fastest of his three victories.

Steven Asson—the 2007 champ—placed third behind Williamson’s 1:29.46 in 1:30.48.

“I’m happy with the performance, a little disappointed because I really wanted to go under 1:20, but 1:21, I can’t be mad at that because I was four minutes faster than last year,” DeGannes noted. “I really wanted to do that 1:19. However, I’m on cloud nine right now. I’ve really worked hard towards this race in particular and I was very, very happy to pull off the 3-peat.”

For Williamson who had been focusing on other sports it was his first race of the year and said he was happy to get into the race, noting that DeGannes pushed a blistering pace.

“I always feel that if someone is willing to push a blistering pace early and put themselves on the line, fair play to Shane,” he said. “I wasn’t going to chase that. But Steve pushed a nice pace, which I felt was a good pace to stick with. And at about 10 miles, I felt like I could push a little bit harder and we had the Irish weather which was really nice and cooled things down.”

Prior to the race, Asson, the 2007 champ established a goal of placing in the top five. “I got into the first five and I believed in myself,” he stated afterwards. “But, I’m proud I placed in the first three and not the first five.”

Crumpler, who won the event for the first time, said the weather conditions were great. “Just a bit disappointed in the time,” she said. “The conditions were right but maybe the race two weeks ago (Diva Half Marathon in Puerto Rico) is still affecting me. It’s still a reasonable time so I’m still happy. It’s my fastest in the BVI.”

St. Thomas’ Joy Bryan Silva had her best showing placing second to Crumpler. “It was hard. It was windy. It was rainy but it was wonderful and I’ll come back,” she said. “It was awesome and I liked the rain—it was better for me—I’m not sure it was better for everybody else.”

Race founder Simon Cook who was away and missed the last six editions said the event has now turned into a professional race. “We started with 40 then and having about 140 today feels like a professional race,” he pointed out. “The organization was awesome. There are so many people out there at the water stops and supporting. It’s going to get bigger and bigger I think.”

Final Results

Men: 1. Shane DeGannes, 1 hour 21 minutes and 18 seconds. 2. Guy Williamson, 1:29:46. 3. Steven Asson, 1:30:48. 4. Julius Farley, 1:33:54. 5. Curwin Andrews, 1:34:46. 6. Ravindra Sukhu, 1:35:00. 7. Rondrigo Dos Santos, 1:37:57. 8. Mike Sheesley, 1:41:32. 9. Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, 1:42:24. 10. Vaughan Van Oudtshoorn, 1:43:30. 11. Aaron Gardner, 1:44:06. 12. Simon Cook, 1:46:02. 13. Richard Morgan, 1:47:43. 14. Russell Crumpler, 1:48:25. 15. Adrian Dale, 1:50:48. 16.  Shaun Reardon John, 1:52:02. 17. Gary Salter, 1:53:50. 18. Charles Kerins, 1:53:55. 19. Rafael Ubior Garces, 1:54:08. 20. Andy Vega, 1:54:08. 21. Janis Heibel, 1:56:06. 22. Daniel Mitchell, 1:56:27. 23. Ruairi Bourke, 1:56:57. 24. Manuel Lanzas, 1:58:18. 25. Paul Hubbard, 1:58:34. 26. Chris Conway, 2:00:28. 27. Ray Wearmouth, 2:01:55. 28. Shane Donovan, 2:05:33. 29. Tom Parish, 2:06:31. 30. Garfield Neita, 2:09:24. 31. Andrew Palmer, 2:12:34. 32. Willem Kerkvliet, 2:12:58. 33. Sandro Strunk, 2:13:02. 34. Gareth Watkins, 2:13:56.84. 35. Arun Keshap, 2:15:33. 36. Alejandro Alvarez, 2:16:07. 37. Jonathan McCarty, 2:19:57. 38. Edgar Luciano, 2:20:51. 39. Andrew Gillilano, 2:21:41. 40. Stuart Bruce, 2:22:00. 41. Jonathon Addo, 2:20:22. 42. Howard Moore, 2:27:13. 43. Jose Pabellon, 2:28:06. 44. Jim Cullimore, 2:34:32. 45. Stephen Beard, 2:39:47.

Female: 1. Katrina Crumpler, 1:38:02. 2. Joy Bryan-Silva, 1:45:20. 3. Clare-Louise Whiley, 1:46.16. 4. Rosmond Johnson, 1:50:48. 5. Nimade Oniasih, 1:53:59. 6. Richie Paul, 1:54:33. 7. Kay Reddy, 1:57:31. 8. Melissa Brunner, 1:58:27. 9. Jenny McIvor, 2:00:12. 10. Caitlin Goodman, 2:01:17. 11. Jana Ferguson, 2:01:59. 12. Natasha Ruscheinski, 2:02:18. 13. Rebecca Cook, 2:02:33. 14. Lauren Julien, 2:06:55. 15. Casey McNutt, 2:07:54. 16. Claudia Ferrari, 2:09:44. 17. Kerry-Ann Dos Santos, 2:11:52. 18. Morise Aviles, 2:13:46. 19. Alexandra Bartsch, 2:14:18. 20. Jill Malcolm, 2:19:51. 21. Latonia Garnett Stapleton, 2:20:03. 22. Laura Dore, 2:22:03. 23. Stephanie Wessels, 2:24:00. 24. Nicole Isaac, 2:24:18. 25. Candice Grant, 2:24:49. 26. Maxine Jones, 2:25:37. 27. Amy Campbell, 2:25:47. 28. Jeannette Lopez, 2:27:01. 29. Josie Barnes-Mastache, 2:27:10. 30. Monique Simon, 2:28:22. 31. Ghislaine Hoogendijk, 2:28:37. 32. Miriah Gonzalez, 2:28:51. 33. Clair Burke, 2:30:32. 34. Nadalet Diaz, 2:32:40. 35. Ita Quesada, 2:33:14. 36. Barbara O’Neal, 2:35:36. 37. Zulma Mendez, 2:37:06. 38. Janice Ramos Prado, 2:37:07. 39.  Millie Castro, 2:37:32. 40. Jenny McConnell, 2:45:19. 43.  41. Lisa Brown, 2:51:34. 42. Jill Farley, 2:52:17. 43. Amber Walker, 2:59.36.

Power Walkers:  1. Lisa Bridson, 2:45:34.  2. Louisa Blackmore, 3:14:19.

Teams: 1. Sensusational, 1:41:56. 2. Bitchalot, 1:55:27. 3. Jess Santos/Gillian Plaxton team, 2:03:57. 4. Dara Smith/Rhiannon Jones Team, 2:05:46. 5. Judy Haycraft/Katie Hendersen, 2:09:29. 6. Faster Than Snails, 2:17:32. 7. Deloitte Divas, 2:33:12.

By BVIAA

St. Thomas’ leading distance runners Shane DeGannes and Ruth Ann David are seeking 3-peat victories in Saturday’s 9th Deloite-Ogier BVI Sunrise Half Marathon.

Organizers are expecting a record number of participants. Already, more than 20 runners from St. Thomas, 15 from Puerto Rico and another 10 from the USA, have signed up for Saturday’s event, which starts at 6:00 a.m. at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

Final registration which costs $60, will take place on Friday afternoon from 5-7 p.m. at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. There’s no race day registration.

The 13.1 mile trek will take runners from the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, up to Port Purcell Roundabout, down to Pockwood Pond and return to finish on the track.

DeGannes who organized the M2M 8 Miles run on St. Thomas last weekend, had the BVI race on his radar all year.

“I’ve been really focusing my training on the BVI Half,” DeGannes pointed out. “I’ve raced a lot of 5ks, 10ks and races in St. Croix that kind of hinders the training because of the different types or training, but the focus had been on the BVI race.”

After competing in last month’s Petit Bourg 10k in Guadeloupe where he had a better performance than a year ago, DeGannes used the race as a measuring stick. “I think I’m in a better position to run a faster time,” he said afterwards.

Among BVI participants, Steven Asson who won the race in 2007 returned to racing and won his first race in 2½ years after winning the last race of the Ceres 10k Series two weeks ago, said he’s planning on running. “I want to place in the first five—that’s my goal,” he said. “I’m not looking for first place. But once I get it I will take it – however I’m looking for the first five.”

David has come within 10 seconds of the women’s course record of 1 hour 34 minutes and 09 seconds. “My goal is to actually go under 1:30 again because I ran 1:29 five years ago,” she said. “It’s always a great race and I love running in the BVI.”

Top BVI runner Katrina Crumpler—fresh off finishing 4th in the Diva Half Marathon in Puerto Rico last week—and finished second behind David last year, is excited about the race. “I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “It will also be good to have Ruth here—she a good runner and its good to have people out in front of you to follow. I’d like to go faster than 1:38 which I ran in the Diva race. But you never know until the day of the race so I’ll see what happens.”