Zebalon McLean, the 2011 Male Road Racing Athlete of the Year, picked up where he left off by winning the Dive BVI 5k Series on Virgin Gorda Saturday morning.
Mr. McLean who established a BVI Half Marathon National Record in his last race on Nov. 17 covered the three-mile loop in 20 minutes and 09 seconds.
However, Mr. McLean was more happy about the turnout than his victory. Thirty-four runners competed in the first event of the series.
“You didn’t have anybody breaking any world records, but you had a whole bunch of people running,” Mr. McLean said. “I am happy to see the turnout.”
The Tortola resident attends VG events as much as he can. He hopes that he can inspire other runners from both islands to participate in the races.
“Maybe that can be motivation to get some people out,” Mr. McLean said.
He knows that VG has several strong youth runners that could rival athletes on Tortola, but they are absent from the running events, he added.
“If we can get some of those guys out, then we can see the talent remerge from Virgin Gorda,” he said. “You had about three guys in Virgin Gorda in the 90s that no one could be beat anywhere in the Virgin Islands. I would like to see that again.”
Emrol Amsterdam was close behind Mr. McLean, a familiar scene during the road races, but he had to settle for second place. Mr. McLean said he encouraged Mr. Amsterdam to start running the longer distance events and now he is afraid that he has “created a monster.”
“He beats me from time to time, but that is fine,” Mr. McLean said. “As long as we get more people out, that is fine.”
Mr. McLean was happy with his performance of 20:09.’
“I am starting this season a little better than I did last year,” he said.
VG resident Merion Dainty took third place in the Men’s Division.
Liz Ziegler was the first woman crossing the line in 27:37 minutes, while Samantha Hansen and Augusta Van Rensburg rounded out the top three.
“The race went very well and I was pleasantly surprised at the turn out,” event coordinator Casey McNutt said. “I expected 15 to 20 runners as I’d been active in getting the word out. Virgin Gorda is a fantastic community when it comes to getting out together. We have another 20 confirming for the next race on February 4. Youth groups, businesses, walking groups, and families all pull together for a healthy community event and we’re proud of each and every one.”
Lance Hiesinger competed in a pair of flip-flops because he is new to the island and didn’t have any shoes.
“It wasn’t easy,” Mr. Hiesinger said. “I just threw on the flip-flops and gave it a go.”
He considered running barefoot instead, but thought his feet might get “cut up.”
“Not feeling so great at the moment, I am starting to get shin splints,” he said after the race.
He plans to do the rest of the running series and possibly some longer races.
“If I get some shoes, maybe I will attempt the 10ks,” Mr. Hiesinger said.
Final Results;
Men: 1. Zebalon McLean, 20 minutes, 09 seconds. 2. Emrol Amsterdam, 20:22. 3. Meroin Dainty, 21:10. 4. Curwin Andrews, 21:10. 5. Maxford Pipe, 21:17. 6. Eric Mallet, 23:45. 7. Andrew Hansen, 24:41. 8. Roland Clifford, 27:35. 9. Seraphin Telemaque, 29:10. 10. Kory Gozjack, 29:29. 11. Marc “White Spider” Taggart, 32:19. 12. Lindsay Pereira, 32:36. 13. Laurent de Courtivron, 39:19. 14. Lance Hiesinger, 34:36. 15. Thomas Choblet, 34:53. 16. Ernst vanderPoll, 38:19. 17. Chadd Ziegler, 39:06. 18. Quacey Cooper 48:48.
Women: 1.Liz Ziegler, 27:37. 2. Samantha Hansen, 28:21. 3. Augusta VanRensburg, 30:22. 4. Anna Janczewska, 31:07. 5. Vivian Toro, 32:51. 6.Koenelia Grill, 34:55. 7. Maria Jose Mora, 38:17. 8. Maja Yde, 39:18. 9. Laura Hiesinger, 39:55.10. Michelle Hogarth, 40:38. 11. Christina Yates, 43:06. 12. Mace Marx, 47:41. 13. Charlotte Birkolsen, 49:24. 14.Hyacinth Telemaque, 49:24.15. Althea, 49:32:17. 16. Sharon Flax-Mars, 48:48.