Runners will be competing for a substantial increase in prize money this year when the BVI Sunrise Half Marathon kicks off on December 5, 2015, forming part of the BVI Athletics Association’s 45th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Provided

Shane DeGannes of St Thomas, USVI has won the BVI Sunrise Half Marathon 3 years in a row. Photo: Paul E. Voisin/Facebook

Kamar Thomas of Antigua (left) and Kenisha Pascal of Grenada have indicated their intentions of coming to the Virgin Islands for the 10th BVI Sunrise Half Marathon on December 5, 2015. Photo: Paul E. Voisin/Facebook

Male and female winners could walk away with up to $1500 each in the 10^th BVI Sunrise Half Marathon, presented by Deloite and Ogier later this year.

To mark the 10^th year, the BVI Tourist Board has increased the prize monies to $1000 for the male and female winners. The men's winner can collect another $500 for breaking the overall course record of 1 hour 07 minutes and 38 seconds, while the woman breaking the 1:34.09 mark will earn $250.

The top five men and women's finishers will also all collect cash prizes.

This year’s event is expected to see Shane DeGannes of St Thomas aiming for a 4^th straight win while two-time winner Ruthann David also of St Thomas, USVI is expected to feature.

So far regional runners Kamar Thomas of Antigua and Kenisha Pascal of Grenada, who both participated in the recent NACAC 10K race in Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, have indicated their intentions of coming to the Virgin Islands for the 10th BVI Sunrise Half Marathon.

Representing home turf would be Reuben J. A. Stoby, Julius Farley, Guy Williamson, Rosmond Johnson and others.

Early bird registration through October 31 for the Dec 5, 2015 event is $55.

From November 1, the fee goes up to $60. Some 30 persons have already pre-registered and organisers are capping the race at 125 participants.

‘Event getting stronger each year’

Race founder Simon Cook said it’s great that the event is still going and getting stronger each year.

"There are so many people out running during the week now with all different abilities, which is great, and people are enjoying it," noted Cook, who relocated to Australia shortly after the event began and returned to the territory and participated in the ninth edition last year.

"Kay (Reddy) and the team have done a super job building it up and it's great to be back here running. I didn't envision it would carry on like this. It's great that these other races are going on as well. The 10K's, 5K's, 2 Miles and the Tortola Torture, long may it continue and I think it will. A lot of people are running races and marathons."

Reflecting on the race development, the former Deloite employee said he was preparing for the San Francisco half marathon at the time and Mark Chapman asked why not have a half marathon here and that's how it started.

"We had about 40 people that first year in the event won by St Thomas' Adam Wood and that was a good start as we ran from West End," he recalled. "Obviously, it has evolved after that."

During its fifth year, it was run in conjunction with the OECS Half Marathon and several of the top regional runners participated, with New Zealand's Michael Aish establishing the 1:07.38 course record as three went under 1:10.

"That 1:07 was insane, that's like 5 minute miles," Cook said. "Nobody's going to touch that are they? That would be amazing if they did."

With an average of 25 road races annually in the territory on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, Cook said it's helping people gradually get into the longer distances. "It's all word of mouth, people start doing 5Ks, then 10Ks and then say 'if I can do a 10k, maybe I can do a half marathon and then maybe a marathon," he reasoned. "There's just a lot more people out there running and being conscious about being fit, so it’s great, really great."