After coming close last year then losing to Virgin Gorda resident Vincent Fournier, Reuben Stoby’s strategy was to run a more controlled Virgin Gorda Half Marathon, perhaps even running a negative split, with the second half being faster.
Mr. Farley covered the scenic course in one hour, 35 minutes and 38 seconds. Mr. Stoby finished in 1:35.54.’ Defending champion Vincent Fournier, of Virgin Gorda, took third in 1:39.38.’
Mr. Stoby said it is the “Virgin Gorda jinx.”
“Julius is such a consistent runner; anytime you relax, have a bad day, or get your tactics wrong he’s going to eat you up and that is what happened today,” said Mr. Stoby. “I think he actually ran a very smart race. He knows if he gives me up to a mile to go, it’s going to be quite a fight and he made his move like three miles out and at the stage, I was really suffering. By the time I caught myself, the gap was too much to close, so I had to give it to him. This wasn’t my day today, it was Julius’ day, definitely.”
Mr. Farley said his plan was not to go out too fast and he tried to keep up with the leaders until he felt confident enough that he could make a move.
“And that’s exactly what I did,” Mr. Farley said. “At the beginning of the race, about five of us were together for about three miles, until Stoby and I broke away and continued until the 10th or 11th mile, then I made a move. I know Stoby is the kind of guy that won’t give up easy and I had to make a move, because he’s a faster sprinter than me. I couldn’t wait for him to make the first move so I made it.”
The victory meant a lot to Mr. Farley, because Mr. Stoby’s winning streak has been ongoing since last year.
“To beat him is special to me,” he said.
Mr. Fournier, the defending champion, was among the early leaders and said he might have rested too much in the first half.
“It’s a good race, a hard race and congratulations to Julius and Reuben, they did ran a good race,” he said. “I was secretly hoping one of them was going to burn the other one out so I could catch at least one of them, that never happened. But, I’m fine with third.”
Former VG resident Kathleen Brownsdon, who now lives on St. Croix, was ninth overall in 1:55.32’ and said she was lucky to walk away with the win.
“Maria Mays didn’t show up, thanks Maria,” she joked. “It was a hard race. I’m not used to running the hills anymore since I live on St. Croix, I don’t have the hills like we have here, but I sort of remembered how to run the hills. I’ve never won it while I lived here, so it’s very special to come back and in Casey’s (McNutt) last year.”
Race director Ms. McNutt announced it was her last time organising the event and thanked participants and the community. Over the years, the event has raised more than $18,000 for community groups and charities, the organiser said.
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