Stoby, Mays tune up for Virgin Gorda Half Marathon with victories

May 2, 2016 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Runners take off on the second half of the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon course during Saturday's Dive BVI 10K series finale, which was a tune up for the event. Photo: Todd VanSickle

Runners take off on the second half of the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon course during Saturday’s Dive BVI 10K series finale, which was a tune up for the event. Photo: Todd VanSickle

Reuben Stoby and Maria Mays were the top male and female finishers in the Dive BVI 10k Series finale of May 1- the final tune up for the 5th annual Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and Six Miles Challenge which will take place on May 14.

Stoby led the field that included 18 participants from Tortola out of the 38 on the second segment of the course in the Valley. Running along the route with vistas of the historic Copper Mine and the world renowned Baths and scenic views of the outer islands, St. John and Tortola, Stoby finished in 41 minutes and 53 seconds. Mays, the top woman covered the course in 47:41.

“I think my time is pretty decent,” said Stoby who had Guy Williamson breathing down his neck last year when he ran 40:19 and Williamson, 40:59. “But, I’m happy with the time ahead of the Half Marathon.”

Stoby who ran 46:14 over the first half of the course – including the first six miles up to Nail Bay two weeks ago – said both races were important in his preparations for the May 14 race.

“Definitely, to re-familiarize yourself with the course as I did last year as well, but, thanks to the 5k series as well, that has been helping me to get in shape as well,” he noted. “But, it hasn’t been anything too special leading up to the Half Marathon.”

Mays said that in the first tune up on April 11, she was looking at it as preparation for the Tortola Torture and not the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and six Miles Challenge. “That was the big scary thing in the way that I couldn’t see past, but this race today, like Reuben said, it was great to see the course again,” she said. “It’s just fantastic coming to Virgin Gorda. It’s three or so weeks between them (Tortola Torture and Virgin Gorda Half Marathon) so this race was really important to keep on the game.”

With so many races on Tortola and Virgin Gorda to choose from, staying healthy is everyone’s goal. Stoby, however, runs in all of them. “I know when to push and when not to, but, it’s wonderful just to be running and keeping fit all the time,” he pointed out.

Mays on the other hand, described herself as ‘pathetic’ and not really competitive. “I wish I was, but, I always just think ‘I’ll do it and see how I do’ and then 3/4s  of the way, ‘maybe I can do this’, so I’m trying to find that little element. I think Reuben’s got it.”

Final results:

Male: Reuben Stoby, 41 minutes and 53 seconds. 2.  Julius Farley, 43:28. 3.  Curwin Andrews, 48:47. 4. Brian Davis, 50:21. 5. Adrian Dale, 51:32. 6.  Zebalon McClean, 52:35. 7.  Ishwar Persaud, 52:59. 8. Gabriel Obregon, 55 :05. 9. Marlon Felix, 55:29. 10.  Gus Faller, 56:41. 11. Patrick Ormond, 56:47. 12. Mahinda Ratnayake, 58:24. 13. Dennis Versoza, 59:53. 14.   Aaron Gardner, 1:00.11. 15. Damien Parry, 1:02.31. 16. Teejay Torres, 1:05.37.  17. Andy Miller,  1:13.55. 18. Dan Starling, 1:17.59.

Female: 1. Maria Mays, 47:41. 2. Melissa Brunner, 51:40. 3. Kim Takeuchi, 54:11. 4. Katleen Brownsdon, 55:02. 5. Rosmond Johnson, 55:05. 6. Katie Goodwin, 56:41. 7.  Josie Ratnayake, 58:24. 8. Becca Knight, 58:45. 9. Kay Reddy, 1:00.10. 10. Lucy Smith, 1:01.18. 11. Lindsay Fogarty, 1:05:01. 12. Sara Mc 1:06.34. 13. Gretel Honis, 1:13:55. 14. Tara Murphy, 1:14.34. 15.  Nedy Ador, 1:14.42. 16. Clair Burke, 1:14.44. 17. Angie Bester, 1:17.59. 19. Chris Yates, 1:29.44.

DNF: Emily Drinkwater & Brendan O’Reilly.

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Stoby, Mays Lead Virgin Gorda Half Marathon Tune Up

April 12, 2016 by
PHOTO: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

PHOTO: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

Reuben Stoby and Maria Mays led the field of 33 participants in the men and women’s divisions respectively, during the first of two Dive BVI 10K Series races on Saturday, which are a tune up for the 5th Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and 6 Mile Challenge on May 14.

Stoby ran the race over the first half of the Half Marathon course with a trek out to Nail Bay and the notorious ‘beast’ in 46 minutes and 14 seconds. Mays was timed in 51.16 in the women’s division.

“We had directional on the road so that everyone would know where to turn so that for the Half Marathon, they are on their game and knew exactly where to go,” explained race director Casey McNutt. “We had 17 people from Tortola that came over to gauge what they are going to experience in the Half. Right now, we have 72 pre registered for the Half Marathon and 6 Mile Challenge. We are leaps and bounds a little over a month out from where we were last year. We have a tremendous amount coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands with 28 preregistered so far, so it’s really nice to see them coming over.”

Saturday’s race came ahead of the upcoming early bird preregistration period that end on Friday. McNutt said the early bird cut off is where participants can register for $60 before the fee goes up to $70 from April 16. The $40 fee for the 6 Miles Challenge will increase to $50.

“We have an amazing kit for all the participants, the race bags are awesome and we’ll have a lot of great merchandise on sale at the Half Marathon Festival,” she said. “This is our fifth anniversary and we’re really excited bout it. It has gotten better every year. So we’re hoping that people take advantage of the early registration and book early.”

The next 10K will cover the last 6.2 miles of the course including taking in vistas of historic Copper Mine and the renowned Baths, on April 30.”

Final results. Men: 1. Reuben Stoby, 46:14. 2. Julius Farley, 48:51. 3. Curwin Andrews, 50:56. 4. Vincent Fournier, 51:50. 5. Alan Cundall, 53:56. 6. Ben Mays, 57:19. 7. Dennis Versoza. 1:07:25, 8. Ryan Everett, 1:08:57. 9. Luke Plummer, 1:09:44. 10. Paul Hubbard, 1:17:47. 11. Zebalon McLean, 1:22:33. 12. Tim Backlund, 1:25:24. 13. John Hudspeth, 1:34:19.

Women: 1. Maria Mays, 51:16. 2. Rosmond Johnson, 57:59. 3. Kat Brownsdon, 1:01:11. 4. Anna Gillham, 1:01:44. 5. Kay Reddy, 1:03:15. 6. Becca Knight, 1:06:19. 7. Kim Takeuchi, 1:10:18. 8. Debbie Bell, 1:10:33. 9. Sarina Hancock, 1:12:59. 10. Tiffanie Houston, 1:17:36. 11. Jude Holmes, 1:17:47. 12. Clair Burke, 1:19:01. 13. Nedy Adordionicio, 1:20:45. 14. Michelle Backlund, 1:25:25. 15. Casey McNutt, 1:33:36. 16. Tasia Veenkemp, 1:33:37. 17. Kim Hudspeth, 1:34:19. 18. Kim Beradine, 1:44:58. 19. Chrissann Nickel, 1:44:59. 20. Chris Yates, 1:49:20.

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Stoby Wins Virgin Gorda Half Marathon Tune Up

April 29, 2015 by

By BVIAA

Reuben Stoby: "I always heard it (Dive BVI 10K Series) was a tough course, but that wasn't the true story--it's tougher--much tougher." Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Reuben Stoby: “I always heard it (Dive BVI 10K Series) was a tough course, but that wasn’t the true story–it’s tougher–much tougher.” Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

With most regular runners either running as individuals or were on teams tackling the grueling 50km Tortola Torture on Saturday, Ruben Stoby led a small band of runners in the second Dive BVI 10K Series race–on the toughest segment of the course for the upcoming Virgin Gorda Half Marathon.

Stoby–undefeated so far this season–led the charge up to Gorda Peak and Nail Bay unchallenged, to win in 42 minutes and 57 seconds, as part of familiarizing himself for a run at the top prize when the event goes off on May 9.

Stoby said the course was tougher than he thought. “I always heard it was a tough course, but that wasn’t the true story–it’s tougher–much tougher,” he pointed out. “At one point I wanted to walk. My legs were screaming. I’m glad I was able to finish in a reasonable time. I actually wanted to run under 40 minutes–but I had no idea what the course really was like.”

The race Stoby said, gave him a better idea of how to plan his run and conserve, as the first half of the race takes in the steepest climbs on Virgin Gorda. “Going is definitely tough and I’ll have to keep something in the legs for the second half, which is nothing compared to the first segment of the course,” he explained.

Nadine Leslie was the women’s winner in 56:17.

Final results:

Men: 1. Reuben Stoby, 42 minutes and 57 seconds. 2. Alan Cundall, 49:51. 3. Ezron Simmons, 53:33. 4. Joseph McIvor, 56:08. 5. Jermain Abrams, 59:23. 6. Scott Butz, 1:13:07. Keith Williams, 1:17:29, Zoltan Birinyi 1:30:30.

Women: 1. Nadine Leslie 56:17. 2. Kay Reddy 58:40. 3. Sarah Hayes, 1:00:54. 4. Rhiannon Junes, 1:04:42. 5. Becca Knight, 1:06:24. 6. AJ Syrett, 1:08:41. 7. Eva Askulv, 1:10:20. 8. Tara Murphy, 1:14:19. 9. Chris Yates, 1:38:34.

 

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Stoby’s winning streak continues with Dive BVI 10K series

April 14, 2015 by

By BVIAA

The lead pack of Guy Williamson, Reuben Stoby and Julius Farley, after breaking away from the field. Photo: Todd VanSickle

The lead pack of Guy Williamson, Reuben Stoby and Julius Farley, after breaking away from the field. Photo: Todd VanSickle

Rueben Stoby extended his winning streak to Saturday’s Dive BVI 10K Series race – the first of two races on different segments of the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon course – as a means of familiarizing runners for the May 9 race, for which 51 have already pre registered.

The next race will be on the tougher and scenic northern segment of the course including climbs to Nail Bay.

Stoby led Guy Williamson and Julius Farley to the line in 40 minutes and 16 seconds on a tour of southern Virgin Gorda, including the historic Coppermine. Williamson finished in 40:59 and Farley in 41:17.

“It was a pretty challenging course and my plan was not to go hard and I wasn’t familiar with the course either so I wanted to conserve as much as possible, since I didn’t know what to expect,” Stoby explained. “In case I ran off course, I wanted to stick with the guys just to make sure I knew where I was going. Not taking anything away from them, I know they can run the 10K very well, so I was careful not to go too early.”

Not being familiar with the full course, Stoby who ran 17:41 in the Dive BVI 5K last month, said he along with Williamson and Farley were playing a little cat and mouse to see who would take the lead. “I wasn’t going to do that,” Stoby quickly interjected, noting that he didn’t make his move until they were heading downhill from the Bregado Flax Educational Center. “I decided to make a run and see what happened. The guys chased a bit, but surprisingly, they didn’t hold on for the last 800m.”

Williamson said it was good to see Stoby back on island racing and he has upped the game. “It was a strong pace pretty much the whole course and it’s tough on the hills when you’re pushing that course as well,” he noted. “Between myself, Stoby and Farley, we pushed hard. Then with about 800m, Stoby took off, I tried to chase him down and I couldn’t quite do it.”

NiMade Oniasih won the women’s division in 51:40 and was followed by Kay Reddy (54:45) and Casey McNutt in 56:32.

Final results

Men: 1. Rueben Stoby, 40 minutes and 16 seconds. 2. Guy Williamson, 40:59. 3. Julius Farley, 41:17. 4. Curwin Andrews, 44:05. 5. Alen Cundall, 45:33. 6. Zebalon McLean, 49:36. 7. Ravindra Sukhu, 51:42. 8. Jermain Abrams, 53:01.

Women:1. Onaish NiMade, 51:40. 2. Kay Reddy, 54:46. 3. Casey McNutt, 56:32. 4. Lauren Julien, 58:43. 5. Riannon Jones, 1:01:17. 6. Eva Askulv, 1:03.39. 7. Becca Knight, 1:08.07. 8. Clair Burke, 1:10.12. 9. Tara Murphy, 1:21.29, 10. Beth Besom, 1:21:30.

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Sukhu, Brownsdon Kick Off Dive BVI 5K Series With Victories

January 21, 2014 by

By: Dean Greenaway

RaviRavi Sukhu and Kathleen Brownsdon kicked off the 2014 BVI Road Racing season in Virgin Gorda on Saturday with victories, in the Dive BVI 5K Series that attracted 61 participants.

Sukhu held off Virgin Gorda’s Emrol Amsterdam who was 14 seconds back while Brownsdon was followed by Kim Takeuchi.

“It went very well and we had an awesome turnout and nice representation from Tortola and everybody had a great time,” said race director Casey McNutt. “We had 61 participants and we highlighted the BVI Cancer Society for this race, did a drive for them, people came out and we raised $400 from the participants. Everyone had a great spirit and it was a fun race.”

Each race of the series a donation will be collected for a charitable organization with the upcoming race on Feb 8 assisting the Virgin Gorda Animal Rescue and Control Organization. Others to benefit are VISAR and the Lions Club.

The Dive BVI 5K Series will be followed by the Dive BVI 10K Series and the 3rd Virgin Gorda Half Marathon on May 17. Road races on Tortola starts on March 8 with the Blenheim Trust 5k Series, which is followed by the Ceres Juices 10K Series, the HLSCC College Classic Series and the 9th BVI Half Marathon.

Final Results: Male: 1. Ravi Sukhu, 20 minutes and 04 seconds.  2. Emrol Amsterdam, 20.18. 3. Pablo Olarte, 21.22. 4. Zebalon McLean, 21.40. 5. Curwin Andrews, 22.17. 6. Keith Williams, 22.20. 7. Joe McIvor, 22.26. 8. Patrick Ormond, 22.44. 9. Charles Kerins, 23.18. 10. Jonathan McCarthy, 23.48. 11. Jeremiah Abrams, 24.54. 12. Alex Matas, 25.20. 13. Gareth Watkins, 26.17. 14. Federico Biggo, 26.17. 15. Donald George, 27.07. 16. Anthony Winchester, 28.27. 17. Wilbert Samuel, 29.39. 18. Stephen Beard, 29.56. 19. David Payne, 31.04. 20. Marc Taggart, 31.57. 21. Mel Wicks, 32.14. 22. Dave Ellis, 34.05. 23. Zoltan Birinyi, 39.35. 24. Ian Roy. 41.08. 25. Deandre Thomas. 42.31. 26. Jhonny van der Werff, 43.46. 27. Jeff Nichols, 46.16. 28. Rupert Raven, 46.16. 29. Atlas Van Sickle, 48.40.

Female: 1. Kathleen Brownsdon, 21.41. 2. Kim Takeuchi, 22.51. 3. NiMade Oniash, 24.01. 4. Lara Leyton, 24.31. 5. Berenice George, 24.32. 6. Nicola Iuso, 24.39. 7. Sara Hayes, 24.44. 8. Kay Reddy, 25.08. 9. Vivian Toro, 25.30. 10. Jenny McIvor, 26.14, 11. Kate Littlefield, 29.27. 12. Chislaine Hoogendijk, 29.36. 13. Vicki Woodill, 29.50. 14. Olympia Grassi, 29.54. 15. Guendalina Buzzanca, 29.55. 16. AJ Syrrett, 30.57. 17. Debbie Ridgeway, 31.30. 18. Claire Burke, 32.25. 19. Tara Murphy, 35.34. 20. Annete Wicks, 37.32. 21. Chris Yates, 43.14, 22. Becca Knight, 43.46. 23. Laticia Lennard, 44.52. 24. Luana Casoni, 45.42. 25. Caitlin Nichols, 46.16. 26. Pierrete Agen, 48.00. 27. Debbie Bruce, 48.10. 28. Christine Goschler, 48.17. 29. Arlyn Gordon, 48.40. 30. Betty Paradisi, 51.37. 31. Lynne Hawkins, 51.37. 32. Beth Besom, 51.37.

 

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