The KPMG Tortola Torture, a 54KM Ultra Marathon, kicks of from Tortola Sports Club from 5:00am Saturday April 13, 2019. Photo: KPMG Tortola Torture

Julius Farley is one of the local favourites to win the 2019 edition of the KPMG Tortola Torture. Photo: KPMG Tortola Torture

Twenty-two of this year’s KPMG Tortola Torture competitors are from overseas: seven from the US Virgin Islands, six from USA, four from Puerto Rico, two from Hong Kong, one from the UK, one from Canada and one from Trinidad and Tobago. Photo: KPMG Tortola Torture

It’s tough to make a call on the winners this year, as the field has no running pros to contend with this year.

Amongst the men Julius Farley (VI), Vincent Fournier (VI), Christian Hidalgo (VI), TJ Hindes (USVI), Billy Bohlke (USVI -winner of this year´s St Croix Scenic 50), and perhaps 59 year old Philippe Leroy (VI) will be battling for top honours, but an overseas visitor with unknown form could easily upset the apple cart.

Rosmond Johnson, third in last year´s Torture, seems to be the favourite amongst the ladies, but VI newcomer and accomplished triathlete Johanna Murphy, or St Croix´s Catherine Seguin, could give her a run for her money.
Twenty-two of this year’s competitors are from overseas: seven from the US Virgin Islands, six from USA, four from Puerto Rico, two from Hong Kong, one from the UK, one from Canada and one from Trinidad and Tobago.

Course change

Roadworks on Windy Hill has forced the organisers to change the course for this year and competitors will be diverting to Cane Garden Bay after the Powerade Water Stop at Stoutt’s Lookout, and then continuing on to Brewer’s Bay.

TICO, the official Red Bull distributor for BVI, will send the top male and female VI resident finishers of this year´s KPMG Tortola Torture to compete in the Wings for Life World Run (WFLWR) in Sunrise, Florida on May 5, 2019.

The WFLWR is a global charity event which takes place in 222 cities and over 50 countries. Everybody starts at exactly the same moment – 11am UTC – whether it’s day or night, bright sun or pouring rain and the finish line chases the runners.

The KPMG Tortola Torture is a 33.74 mile (54km) race that circumnavigates Tortola with only 22% on the flat, the rest is on hot and humid hills with 12,000 feet of elevation change. The steepest gradient is 33.33%.

Registration, Pasta Party and Race Briefing will be held on Friday, April 12, at Nanny Cay, at 5:30pm. The race starts at the Tortola Sports Club in Road Town at 5:00am and finishes at Trellis Bay Market. After a quick once over by the race doctor at the finish, competitors will be able to enjoy a Flying Guinness or Baileys Express, a post-race massage by Driftwood Spa, and post-race dancing with DJ Young Money Soundz.

Aid Stations & Cut Off Times

1) KPMG West End Aid station (3 person team changeover) – 8:00am

2) Powerade Stoutt’s Lookout Aid Station (2 person team changeover) – 9:30am

3) Mourant Brewers Bay Aid Station – 11:30am

4) BVI Tourist Board Georges’ North Side Aid Station (3 person team changeover) – 12:30pm

5) Little Bay Aid Station – 1:00pm

Finish – 2:30pm – Trellis Bay Market.

No disposable bottles

The event continues its ban of disposable bottles on the race course this year. By using reusable 5-gallon jugs and coolers, organisers eliminated the use of over 1,200 half litre bottles of water.

The KPMG Tortola Torture is open to individuals, two-person, and three-person relay teams.

Title sponsor KPMG provides audit, tax and advisory services together with industry insight to help organizations negotiate risks and perform in the dynamic and challenging environments in which they do business.

Mourant, platinum sponsor, is a leading offshore law firm, advising on the laws of the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey.

The BVI Tourist Board is the international promotion partner.

Powerade is the hydration sponsor.

Trellis Bay Market is the finish line sponsor and host; Flying Guinness and Baileys Express are the official finish line drinks.