April 19, 2005 – Veteran St. Thomas runner Bill Thompson was the first across the finish line Sunday morning in the second annual Run for Cover 5K race, winning in 21 minutes, two seconds, and shaving more than a minute off of last year's first place time.
Forty runners, including a few children, participated in the event, which is sponsored by UBS Financial Services as a fund-raiser for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands. The St. Thomas Association of Roadrunners organizes the race and it's open to all comers – the serious athlete and those out for exercise and fun.
Racers started the 3.1 mile course with a lap around the University of the Virgin Islands soccer field, then headed down the airport road and looped back to finish on the field.
Although the course is flat, Thompson said it is windy, making it "a little like having a hill course" – runners get resistance against the wind and a boost when it's behind them.
"It's a great opportunity to meet the other runners" and "to run for a good charity," Thompson said.
Mike Kelleher, UBS branch manager and the man who started the Run for Cover on St. Thomas, said he was "thrilled to death at the turnout and the enthusiasm of all the participants." Plans call for two races next year, one on St. Croix and one on St. Thomas.
Michael Akin, executive director of Catholic Charities, thanked UBS, STAR and all the participants. Entry fees and a $3,000 donation from UBS will go towards the soup kitchens and Bethlehem House shelters for the homeless that Catholic Charities operates throughout the territory.
Medals went to first place finishers in five age categories:
· 19 and under, Men's division, Roland Morrell; Women's division, Niki Pearl-Edwards
· 20-27, no Men's entry; Women's division, Bree Briggs
· 30-39, Bruce Sewer; Adrianne Baird
· 40-49, Randy Shaw; Rebecca Brahm
· 50 +, Wayne Grandy, Gloria Salas-Linquist
For more information, contact Michael Akin at 513-0183, or 777-8518.