Photo by VINO
By VINO
Stoby romped to a comfortable win in the final race of the series, which took runners from just outside Banco Popular to a turnaround at Struggling Man in Sea Cows Bay, with a Personal Best of 37:50.04. Vincent Fournier, running for the first time competitively on the course, came second in 37:57.47 and Julius Farley finished third in a time of 38:51.36.
Stoby led from start to finish and had opened up a huge lead on his main challengers Fournier and Farley, however, on the return Fournier began to eat into the lead and came to within some 20 metres of Stoby, who was able to switch gears for a sprint finish to win comfortably and in one of the fastest 10k times in the territory.
“A PB for me. I am so happy about that. I ran 38:23 in training on the course so I knew I could break into 37 minutes,” commented Stoby. “I was worried about the heat ahead of the race, but the conditions turned out to be good and then I was pushed to a fast time by Vincent Fournier. It was a good race and sets me up nicely for the BVI Half Marathon later in the year.”
Stoby, who bases his runs on time rather than who he is running against, said “It’s not easy to run out front and run fast times so it’s always good to have competition. However, I never know who will show up for a race here so I just set myself goal times and work towards that.”
He added that he is looking forward to the 10th BVI Sunrise Half Marathon on December 5, 2015 and is relishing the thought of running against Shane DeGannes of the USVI and possibly Pamenos Ballantyne of St Vincent and the Grenadines. “I fancy myself to run a fast time. I respect those two guys but I also believe in myself and my ability.”
Stoby, who is sponsored by Nagico Insurances, has had a successful year on the local road racing scene. He won the Dive BVI 10K series, Blenheim Trust 5K series, where he was crowned All Comers Champion, placed second in the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon, crowned Highland Spring College Classic Series 2-Mile Champion and Ceres Juices 10K Champion.
Added to that he participated in the NACAC 10K in Petit Bourg in October and another 10K in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe earlier this month, where he competed against some of the best in the Caribbean as well as Kenya, Canada, France and Mexico.
Success in the BVI Half Marathon would be the icing on the cake for Stoby, who only started competitive running in 2013.
Johnson, who finished the final race in second place with her time of 48:41.85 behind Melissa Brunner’s 48:03.40, commented that it was a great race. “I ran all the way to the turnaround and was in the lead until the Island Department Store when Melissa passed me. I just took my time though as I had already won the series, but then at the hospital I decided to try and pass her and put in a sprint, but didn’t quite manage it.”
Johnson, who is also looking forward to the Half Marathon and is aiming at a top five finish, recently won the Highland Spring College Classic 2-Mile Series. She also participated in the NACAC 10K in Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe.
Prizes, which included Ceres Juices, Niagara Water, Peach Chutney, Bos Ice Tea and other items from Proudly African as well as gift vouchers and other items from Relish (a soon to be opened store next to the Watering Hole) were doled out to the champion athletes and persons completing three races.
