Runners have until Saturday to preregister for the sixth annual BVI Half Marathon on Nov. 19.
Organisers and sponsors announced plans for this year’s event during a press conference at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday.
This year’s course will be the same as last year’s with the runners starting at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds at 6 a.m. and running west and returning to the start/finish line for 13 miles.
“We have seen a great interest in the event,” said BVI Athletics Association President Dean Greenaway. “There have been a number of lead up races to it.”
Last year the race was in conjunction with the OECS Half Marathon, which attracted 68 runners from around the region. This year organisers hope to attract just as many competitors. So far, there are 34 preregistered.
Michael Aish of the United States won the event and set a new record of 1:07.38’ and Shermin Lasaldo of Trinidad and Tobago won the Women’s Division in 1:35.35,’ also setting a record.
Mr. Greenaway said he was uncertain how many of the region’s top runners will be returning to the event, including St. Lucia’s Zepherinus Joseph, Grenadine’s Pamenos Ballantyne, and Curtis Cox, a former BVI Half Marathon Champion, of Trinidad and Tobago.
“It is going to be interesting to see how the local runners do this time,” Mr. Greenaway said.
Last year Adrian Dale was the fastest Virgin Islands resident with a time of 1:33.06.’ Maria Mays, another VI resident, took third in the women’s division with a time of 1:36.56.’
There are cash prizes in both the women’s and men’s divisions. The first place finishers will receive $300; second place will be awarded $200 and third place receives $150. The oldest finishers will receive $100, while the over-45 Masters Division winners will receive $100 each.
An additional $500 will be awarded to anyone who can break the course record of 1:07.38.’
“Everything is in order,” said Director of Road Racing Kay Reddy, who is an official IAAF course measurer. “I am making my life a lot easier and we are doing the same course as last year.”
During Tuesday’s press conference, representatives from Deloitte and OGIER handed over a $2,500 cheque to the race organisers.
Aside from the financial contribution, Ms. Reddy said the sponsors will be assisting during the race by helping out at water stops along the course or competing.
“We are delighted to continue to be involved,” Managing Partner Ray Wearmouth said. “Last year we were very pleased with the whole event. [It is] in line with our community efforts and corporate responsibility in the BVI; we love [supporting] this event. It fits in well with what we do globally and what the people in our firm in the BVI enjoy doing.”
Organisers said it isn’t too late to prepare and participate in the half marathon.
“There are two aspects to the half marathon,” Ms. Reddy said. “The first aspect is the race, with people who have trained and who will run as fast as they can. The second aspect is mass participation. …It is a distance that is possible to do [for someone] who is healthy and hasn’t trained very much — if you take it easy and run/walk. It is doable, but it is certainly a challenge.”
For more information about the event call 541-3545 or e-mail: ivb@mf.iaaf.org
y.reddy@blenheimbvi.com.