"I plan my vacation around this run every year. Then half-way through it, I wonder why," my running partner in the 8 Tuff Miles Race on St. John on Saturday, a woman from Michigan, confessed to me as we both labored up Lizard Hill en route to Coral Bay.
This fourth annual road race, which begins at Cruz Bay and ends at Coral Bay, attracted 187 runners and walkers this year. The proceeds from the event go to Kids And The Sea program that teaches sailing to young people.
The course, although quite hilly and challenging, was mostly shady and pleasant. There were few cars, plenty of water stops, ample spectator encouragement and lovely views from the hilltops.
Some hardy runners powered right up the hills and got across the finish line at the Coral Bay ballpark in under an hour. The last few miles were downhill, the reward for five miles of steep incline. My friendly rival from Michigan, who had run a few days before in 5-degrees-below-zero weather, got a burst of speed at the six-mile mark and I followed her down the winding road to Coral Bay.
When I chatted with her after finishing, she said, "Sure, I'll do it again. I'll forget how hard it is by tomorrow."
The first three male finishers were Ian Dan-Wauche, in 56:09; David Kozicki, in 56:25; and David Pritchett, in 56.26.
The first three female finishers were Debbie Koertz, in 1:05:24; Andrea Clarke Heffner, in 1:10:03; and Grace Tuma, in 1:10:44.