March 20, 2006 – The University of the Virgin Islands' beautiful cross-country course on its St. Croix campus has been used for more than 25 years for fun and fitness runs and races.
Friday morning it was the site for the finish of the Fifth Annual UVI/Queen Mary Highway 5K Road Race. The race started at Sunshine Mall in Frederiksted just before dawn and traveled east on Queen Mary Highway to the finish between the palm trees on campus.
Juan Robles, a junior at St. Croix Central High School, set a course and race record this year with a time of 16 minutes, 37 seconds for first place overall.
Tish Dusich was the first female and second overall with a time of 20:06.
Theresa Harper took second for the female and third overall in 20:29.
Tapia Cesar, a CHS runner, was second male lead in 21:37, and Pedro Merinez finished in 21:31.
Earthla Augustin was the third female and first UVI Alum in an impressive 22:22.
Some three dozen participants – including students, staff, alumni and those from the St. Croix community – made their way to the finish as walkers and runners to help celebrate the founding of the university where they were congratulated at the finish line by Dr. Laverne Ragster, UVI President.
Male finishers:
1.Juan Robles 16:37; 2. Tapia Cesar 21:27; 3. Pedro Merinez 21:31; 4.
Errol Chichester 22:36; 5. D. Ephraim 23:30; 6. Ephraim Rodriquez 24:42; 7. Stuart Ketcham 24:44; 8.Christopher Combie 25:46; 9. Brian Daly 27:53; 10. A. Ellee 31:30; 11.Ronald Russell 34:49; 12. Aaron Sylvester 37:01; 13. Bill Kante 37:02; 14. Roy Iles 35:54; 15. D. Capola 40:50; 16. N. Fontesa 44:08; 17. Stanley Jones 45:51; 18. Brian Cook 47:21; 19. M. Petersen 47:29; 20. D. Walworth 47:31.
Female finishers:
1.Tish Dusich 20:06; 2. Theresa Harper 20:29; 3. Earthla Augustin
22:22; 4. Heidi Snow 22:41; 5. Kimberly Gomez 31:47; 6. Marie Witmer 32:15; 7. Sylvanie Javios 16. Ann Marie Mc Douglas 40:22; 17. Valarie Combie 40:43; 18. Maria Friday 47:06; 19. Tahamra Gomes 47:08; 20. Vanessa Williams 49:17; 21. Maria Fleming 49:51; 22. Monique Guillory 51:39; 23. Carla Williams 51:40
For more information, contact V.I.Pace Runners at 643-2557 or visit virginislandspace.org.