On Saturday, the second race in the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College two-mile series on Virgin Gorda got under way at the Spanish Town campus with more than 80 participants.
The event was held in conjunction with the BVI Cancer Society’s Virgin Gorda Branch to raise support for childhood cancer awareness.
Race Director Stephanie Russ Penn said it was a “pleasure for HLSCC to partner and assist in this community event and help in the awareness efforts.”
The event was coordinated by Debbie Bruce and other members of the VG branch of the BVI Cancer Society.
“This event was another opportunity to re-enforce and further educate the community and the youth about one of the silent killers otherwise known as cancer,” Ms. Bruce said.
Walkers who supported the event did a longer course — to The Baths and back to the start/finish line at the HLSCC campus — than the two-mile competitors, who ran to the VG Recreation Grounds and back.
Curwin Andrews picked up his second win in the two-mile series, while 13-year-old Mariah Christian won the women’s division.
Emrol Amsterdam got a late start, but the organisers corrected his time. However, he was unable to beat Mr. Andrews’ time of 12:20 minutes — about a half second slower than his winning time in the first race.
Mr. Amsterdam finished in 13:14.30 minutes. In his first race of the series, he finished in 12:35.78.”
In the women’s division, Ms. Christian took the top spot in 15 minutes.
“When I reached by Lester’s the stitch was hitting me,” Ms. Christian said, while she pointed to the side of her stomach. “But I just kept on going.”
In the first race in the series, Kathleen Brownsdon won the women’s division in 13:11.59.”
Organiser Stephanie Russ Penn was hoping for a better turnout from the schools as the series got under way two weeks ago.
On Saturday, Raw Skillz Track Club answered the call and competed in the second race with six runners.
“I always try to encourage my children to come out to any community event that we can,” Raw Skillz Track Club Coach Erwin Telemaque said.
The coach made sure his athletes didn’t do any road running leading up to the HLSCC race.
“We held back just for this day,” Mr. Telemaque said.
Most of the Raw Skillz athletes who were competing on Saturday were middle-distance competitors, along with two youth runners.
“I have no sprinters taking part in this one,” Mr. Telemaque said. “They are resting.”
All told, the Raw Skillz track club consists of 26 athletes from under-9 to 23 years old. When ever the runners compete they are in their gray and black uniforms, which is a helpful tool when competing in races like the HLSCC series.
“Seeing one other athlete outside the colour of their shirt, it gives them a competitive edge,” Mr. Telemaque said.
Aside from the HLSCC races, the coach has four “international meets” scheduled for next season.
“We lost the competitive edge after the development meets [on Tortola] last year,” Mr. Telemaque said.
He wasn’t surprised to see several of his runners place in the top 10 on Saturday.
Ms. Christian said she likes road races because it helps her visualise how to handle her competitors. She is hoping that the road races will improve her personal best in the 800 metres. Her current best time in the event is 2:41.”
“I do want to go lower,” she said.
Races return to Tortola on Saturday at the Paraquita Bay campus. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and the race starts at 7 a.m.
The next race on VG is scheduled for Oct. 18.
For more information about the series, contact Ms. Russ Penn at 852-7216.
Final Results
Two Mile, Men: 1. Curwin Andrews, 12 minutes 20.00. 2. Kevin Jackson, 12:47.57. 3. Emrol Amsterdam, 13:14.30. 4. Marlon Felix, 13:33.85. 5. Sephile Arthurton, 17:58.36. 6. Clinton Farrington, 19:51.78. Women: 1. Christina Yates, 24:38.14. 2. D’Neigh Williams, 27:45.80. 3. Casey McNutt (no time available; 5k course)
Cross Country: Primary School Teams: Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary (ROMP): 1. Lekoy Lennard (ROMP), 15:41.62. 2. Shakoy O’Neal (ROMP), 17:26.40. 3. Sean Samuel (ROMP), 17:41.51.
Scores: 1. Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary, 6.
Secondary School Teams: Bregado Flax Educational Centre Houses: Harrigan (H), O’Neal (O) and Rhymer (R)): 1. Samory Romney (O), 14:49.76. 2. Mariah Christian (O), 15:00.00. 3. J’Sally O’Neal (H), 16:15.86. 4. T’Keyah Richardson (R), 16:16.51. 5. Dillon Smith (H), 18:17.06. Score: 1. O’Neal, 3 (2 participants). 2. Harrigan, 8 (2 participants). 3. Rhymer, 4 (1 participant)
Other participants- Top of The Baths route: Male: Kizzel Nape, Asante George, Me’Khoi Telemaque, Kyle Harrigan, Demron Glasgow, Cromwell Vanterpool, Noah Fox, Paul Fenty, Michael Connor, Aaron Seddon, Will Seddon, Colton Ridgeway, Indi Abrams, Mark Moore, Benjamin Moore, Nicholas Moore, Lewis Munn. Female: Amy Riddlestorffer, Charli Seddon, Christine Stevens, Deb Ridgeway,Denesha Glasgow, Deondre Rymer, Eileen Pondt, Elatunbi Adeogba, Eva Fox, Favour Ogbonnaya, Gabriella Smith, Gift Ogbonnaya, Glendalee Hyman, Jan Morash, Jayah Hodge, Jennifer Darroux, Jesse Cooke, Judy Ann Stevens, Kendi Bispham, Keyonna Farrington, Kim Takeuchi, Kya Ridgeway, Laura Fox, Leanne Munn, Lisa Joseph, Lorraine Walters, Madison Buckell, Margaret Paul, Mikayla Smith, Milli Abrams, Navasha Williams, Nickeya Vanterpool, Sally-Ann Riley, Sarah Buckell, Sarah Moore, Sasha Flax, Saskia Connor-Louw, Sheena Creque, Tanieka Gludd, Taureen Walters and Zillah Thomas.