Heavy rains and flooding couldn’t stop the second Dive BVI 5k race on Saturday morning on Virgin Gorda.
The event attracted 42 participants, both runners and walkers. Despite the wet conditions, 16 competitors made the trip from Tortola.
“I am just so proud of everyone who came out in the rain. There was flooding up to your knees,” Organiser Casey McNutt said. “That is dedication; that is community — I just want to cry, that is how good it is.”
It was raining prior to the race and continued to do so throughout the event as runners dodged or ran through large puddles that flooded the course.
Ravi Sukhu picked up his second win in the series in the Men’s Division, while Kathleen Brownsdon took the Women’s Division for the second time.
“My time wasn’t so good compared to the last race, but I will take it because of the roughhouse conditions,” Mr. Sukhu said. “Today, I planned to better my time, but after turning up and seeing the conditions: flooded roads. I decided to just take it easy. I actually thought Emrol [Amsterdam] would have won, but I managed to hold him back.”
The wet conditions only slowed AJ Syrett down by about four seconds from her previous race.
She was one of the first competitors to show up for registration and was unsure if the race would get under way. But soon dozens of people were huddle under the roof at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
“I think everybody was wet before the start of the race,” Ms. Syrett said. “My feet are completely drenched.”
However, this helped her hear other competitors approaching from behind her, she said.
This year’s series is raising money for various charities. Saturday’s race generated more than $500 for the Virgin Gorda Animal Rescue and Control.
Participants were encouraged to bring their dogs to the race, but only one canine took part.
Adenike Sicard brought her dog, Crosby. Since he was only dog he was awarded a medal in the shape of a dog tag donned with a paw print.
“He stood by my side. There was one part where the puddle was really deep and we stood up for awhile and contemplated whether we should turn back or go ahead. When I decided to jump into water and run on, he was right there with me.” Ms. Sicard said. “He helped to keep our spirits going.”
The next race in the series is March 1.
Click her for more photos.
RESULTS
Male: 1. Ravi Sukhu, 20.27, 2. Emrol Amsterdam, 20.38, 3. Curwin Andrews21.54, 4. Keith Williams, 22.13, 5. Travon Gumbs, 22.54, 6. Zeblon McLean, 23.10, 7. Patrick Ormond, 23.14, 8. Charles Kerins, 23.38, 9. Stephano Hoogendijk, 24.03, 10. Shane Donovan, 24.09, 11. Jermaine Abrams, 24.09, 12. Jonathan McCarthy, 24.14, 13. Ruairj Bourke, 25.54, 14. Tom Moore, 27.08, 15. Wilbert Samuel, 30.20, 16. Dan Paquet, 30.57, 17. Marc Taggart, 31.58, 18. Clinton Farrington, 32.21, 19. Rupert Raven, 36.05, 20. Zoltan Birinyi, 37.30
Female: 1. Kathleen Brownsdon, 21.35, 2. NiMade Oniaish, 24.13, 3. Lara Leyton, 24.57, 4. Vivian Toro, 25.11, 5. Audrey Wright, 26.10, 6. Yanique Roache, 26.58, 7. Vic Bezemer, 27.39, 8. Ghislaine Hoogendijk, 30.44, 9. AJ Syrett, 31.01, 10. Clair Bourke, 33.35, 11. Becca Knight, 38.48, 12. Tara Murphy, 39.07, 13. Vinag Major, 39.15, 14. Nora Stabo, 39.15, 15. Arlyn Gordon, 40.43, 16. Aide Flax & Crosby, 41.53, 17. Kim Ruggeri, 42.20, 18. Chris Yates, 43.06, 19. Luana Casoni, 46.16, 20, Christine Goschler, 46.16, 21. Beth Besom, 47.16
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