Frederiksted was packed Sunday afternoon with women, men and children who came out to support the 30th annual St. Croix Women Race, which focuses the community’s attention on domestic violence and sexual assault.
The race, sponsored by the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, raises awareness of the need to protect women, children and men who are victims and survivors of crime, domestic violence and sexual assault. In the past the men supported their wives, daughters and girlfriends from the sidelines. This year they were allowed to take part.
“Run for freedom, run for justice, run for life,” said Clema Lewis, WCSC executive director and event coordinator. Lewis said the event started as a fundraiser for the victims and survivors, but throughout the years, the race turned into a family event.
Lewis said the event is a positive outlet for women and men in the community to bond and share their experiences with assault. She said $15,000 to $20,000 is the target goal for funds to support the coalition. She also said Wallace Williams with the V.I. Pace Runners continues to be a great supporter for the race.
More than 400 competitors for the race – ranging in age from less than a year old to 80 – gathered at the starting line ready to stroll, walk, jog, get pushed, skip or run the two-mile course.
This year’s race was dedicated to Mary Mingus, who retired in April after working at the organization for more than 30 years. She was the first director for the coalition and a member of V.I. Pace Runners.
Some of the participants were the top high school middle-distance runners, top age-group runners, past winners of the women’s race and top runners in the territory – all aiming for first place. The school with the most participants was eager to win funds for its physical education program.
All of the participants wore a chip on his or her ankle so the judges could record the exact time for completing the race.
For Rose Mullgrav, the event invites everyone on the island to
take a stand for the cause and lets the community know domestic violence will not be tolerated. She has supported the race and the Women’s Coalition’s mission for years. She saw the race as a bonding experience instead of competition. Women take part to build relationships, she said.
Wanson Harris came to the race with his Virgin Islands National Guard and Medical team.
“Domestic violence affects everyone,” Harris said. “We are one island, one culture and one voice.”
In the end, Juan Robles came in first place and was dubbed the first man to win the Women Race. He is the top V.I. long-distance runner and the V.I. half marathon champion.
"It’s just a great feeling," Robles said. “Running is life, it’s healthy, it’s just a great."
Track and field came easy for him ever since he took up the sport at St. Croix Central High School and fell in love with the speed and adrenalin rush. He got a full track and field scholarship and graduated from the University of Turabo in Puerto Rico in 2013. He said the message of the Women’s Coalition was one of the reasons he took part in the race.
“Men must appreciate women; they are our creator of life,” Robles said.
He said men who hit women are grown boys and should not be considered men.
The winners received trophies and medals. Throughout the event, music blared and vendors sold food and drinks. The Bistro was one of the sponsors who donated free food to the race. Other sponsors included Marshall & Sterling Insurance, First Bank, Quality Auto Parts, Banco Popular, Continuum Care, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Isle 95 and Solar Delivered.