Ravi Sukhu outran arch rival Emrol Amsterdam in Saturday's (April 6, 2013) Dive BVI 10K to pick up his first road racing win of the season. Photo: Todd Van Sickle

Sukhu’s first victory on Virgin Gorda and his first win of the season saw him finish the race in 44 minutes and 14 seconds, beating arch rival Emrol Amsterdam, who crossed the line in 45:1, into second place. ““It was very tough, because Emrol is always there on my back,” commented Suku. “I have put in a lot of hard work and I knew I just had to be patient.”

Amsterdam had a slight lead over Suku after the turnaround at The Baths, but 400 yards later Sukhu took control of the race and never looked back as he ran uncontested to the finish line.

Saturday’s race had some rain, which Sukhu said was refreshing, but made running conditions challenging.

Mays finished in 46 minutes and 34 seconds, which was good enough for third place overall. ”Last year at the start of the 10k season I was beating Ravi,” she said. “He has come on so much. He is amazing.”

Kathleen Browsdon, who won the recent Dive BVI 5k series, finished in 15^th place in the Women’s Division. She was running with her daughter Mollie, who finished in 14^th place.

The first race of the 10k series attracted 31 participants with the majority of them running. The race started from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College campus in Spanish Town and headed east to Speedy’s corner, then to Coppermine Point and to The Baths with the finish back at the start line.

“The course is so hard. I think Casey [McNutt] does it to be mean,” Mays joked. “It is absolutely beautiful. If it weren’t for the hills, it would be fantastic. There are gorgeous views and it is great to come over to VG for the day.”

The loop is similar to the course that will be used for the VG Half Marathon on May 18. Organisers are hoping the 10k series will help participants familiarize themselves with the course.

Suku is also planning to compete in the VG half marathon. Last year, he was in “no shape” to run, but Saturday’s 10k helped him prepare. “I got familiar with the course, the conditions and the environment,” he said.

The next 10k in the series is set for April 27, with the Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and 6-mile Run/Walk challenge slated for May 18.

This weekend, the third race of the Blenheim Trust 5K Series continues its tour of Tortola, with the race slated for Carrot Bay at 7 A.M.

Registration begins at 6:30 A.M. at the Festival Village Grounds and the course loops along the North Shore from the foot of Windy Hill to the foot of Long Bay hill and return.  The course is zero elevation apart from a speed bump at Sugar Mill. One water stop will be provided at the foot of Long Bay Hill.

According to one of the race organizers, Kay Reddy, “For those yet to lace up their shoes this is the last opportunity to make a series of 3 races and claim a coveted 5k finisher or winner’s trophy in the running or power walking divisions.”

The leader board sees a battle for the top spot with James Carr, Steven Asson, NiMade Oniasih and Katrina Crumpler notching up one bullet each.   

VG Dive BVI 10k full results: 

:Men: 1. Ravi Sukhu 44:14, 2. Emrol Amsterdam 45:11, 3. Paslo Olarte 48:05, 4. Ezron Simmons 48:54, 5. Zebalon McClean 50:20, 6. Ben Mays , 50:22, 7. Jermain Abrams 52:59, 8. Aaron Seddon 53:00,  9. Luke Plummer 59:06, 10. Jonathan McCarthy 1:01:53, 11. Lance Heisinger 1:14:51,12. Michael Bell 1:23:10, 13. Zoltan Birinyi 1:25:39, 

Women: 1. Maria Mays 46:34, 2. Nimade Oniasih 53:50, 3. Berenice Garcia 55:09, 4. Vivian Toro 1:01:00, 5. Kelly McCarthy 1:01:53, 6. AJ Syrett 1:06:39, 7. Casey McNutt 1:06:40, 8. Deborah Bell 1:07:03, 9. Laura Heisinger 1:07:34, 10. Marianne Cave 1:11:56, 11. Tara Murphy 1:15:57, 12. Raynecia Simmons 1:22:50, 13. Christina Yates 1:33:08, 14. Mollie BrownsdOn 1:41:21, 15. Kathleen Brownsdon 1:41:28, 16. Lavern Gilehurst 1:45:26, 17. Vetricia Baptiste 1:45:38, 18. Shamara Nanton 1:45:38