In keeping with the holiday spirit, local runners and walkers participated in the first “St. Croix 5K Turkey Trot…Give Thanks Run/Walk” on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Susanna Santana Park on a course that took them through the park and Gallows Bay. Children ran a one-mile event in the park.
Mikaela Smith of the St. Croix Track Club and coming off a successful cross-country season, led the way for the 13 and under boys and girls as she was the first runner across the line in 5:51. Nayan Bansal, of Good Hope Country Day School, was the first boy and second overall with a time of 5:57. They both won medals and turkeys from Quality Foods. Kalani Watkins was second for the boys in 7:39; Shaquez of the Mary’s Fancy Track Club was third in 7:49. Michelle Smith, Mikaela’s little sister, was the second girl across the finish line in 7:02; Anaya Henry was third in 7:46.
In the seven and under boys group, Aden Rojas was first in 8:42; Aslan Boyan was second in 10:39; Isaac Black third in 10:55. Layla Boyan led the girls in 8:05; Nyah Hamann was second in 9:09; Haley Plumley was third in 10:53
The 3.1-mile Turkey Trot followed the mile and tested the runners and walkers over a course including the park and adjacent Gallows Bay commercial area. Juan Robles, the top V.I. National Track and Field Team long distance runner, posted the fastest time in the race in17:26. Malique Smith, the St. Croix Track Club and the top junior distance runner in the territory, was second in 19:03; Billy Bohlke, V.I. record holder for the 5K, was third in 19:21. V.I. national marathon champion Bridget Klein was the first female across the line and fourth overall in 20:13; Jennifer Sturm was second in 23:09; Megan Black was third. Robles and Klein won medals as well as a turkey for their victories.
Several friends and families showed their holiday spirit by coming to the event in festive attire. The Moran family and the "Crowfeather" family won turkeys too for their efforts. Four more turkeys and several official “tech tees” were raffled off at the end of event to wrap up a nice afternoon. Go to the Web site for complete results of the Turkey Trot.
The event is new on the V.I.Pace Runners calendar and it was sponsored by LNL Publishing with the cooperation of the V.I. Department of Sports and Recreation.
Complete results: logon to: http://virginislandspace.org